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Aston Villa: Summer signings don’t neglect youth talent

By Phil Newman

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Gary O'Neil of Bristol City evades Andre Green of Aston Villa during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Bristol City at Villa Park on February 28, 2017 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Gary O'Neil of Bristol City evades Andre Green of Aston Villa during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Bristol City at Villa Park on February 28, 2017 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Aston Villa enter a trying period of balancing immediate promotion with long-term stability in youth development. Will summer signings stagnate growth among Villa’s brightest under-20 stars? Or can the squad coexist with multiple players in each position.

Two months ago, we covered Aston Villa’s brightest players under the age of 20. Doubtlessly, that list is up for debate, but it reveals just how hard it is for youth players to break into first teams in Europe.

Some clubs aid in this development better than others. Ajax, for one example, play teenagers endlessly – often in resounding success. The Premier League, on the other hand, does not. A third of all Premier League clubs in 2016/2017 devoted exactly zero minutes to teenagers.

One would like to think of Aston Villa as a successful development club. Perhaps this is true with the likes of Gary Cahill, Jack Grealish, Gareth Barry, Steven Davis, Ciaran Clark, Daniel Sturridge (sort of), Gabby Agbonlahor, Nathan Baker, and many others becoming top flight professionals.

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Maybe we’re guilty of selection bias, but Villa, like many other English clubs, develop their share of good players.

The question now remains: Who in this current crop will take the next step forward? The aforementioned list mentions central defenders Jacob Bedeau and Easah Suliman specifically. Forwards Andre Green, Keinan Davis, and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy too.

With the news John Terry may be approaching a deal with Aston Villa, where does that leave Toner, Suliman, Bedeau, etc?

Does it stunt their growth?

Not exactly. It would be foolish to think a 19-year old Andre Green would hold down the left wing spot over 46 fixture set. Coupled with two cup competitions, the opportunities for playing time exists.

Steve Bruce is looking for another attacking player. One that could push Green, Davis, and RHM farther down the line. That player may very well push Green farther down the line.

The key here is don’t be alarmed if these youngsters aren’t in the starting eleven match-week one against Hull City. Their time will come, and summer signings or no, they can develop at Aston Villa.

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