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Aston Villa: We’re all forgetting about Jordan Lyden

By Khaled Abdallah

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Jordan Lyden of Aston Villa during the NextGen Series Quarter Final match between Aston Villa U19 and Olympiacos U19 at Villa Park on March 20, 2013 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Jordan Lyden of Aston Villa during the NextGen Series Quarter Final match between Aston Villa U19 and Olympiacos U19 at Villa Park on March 20, 2013 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /
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21-year old midfielder Jordan Lyden is returning from injury after a year out with several ailments. Yet, no one seems to count Lyden as one to challenge Mile Jedinak for a spot in the Aston Villa midfield.

Think back to the horror that was the final weeks of Aston Villa’s 2015/2016 Premier League season. The Claret and Blues finished a 38-fixture P.L. season with a mere three wins. There were almost zero underlying positives to come about that season, save Randy Lerner selling the club in the summer.

However, the final handful of Premier League matches saw two young players making the jump from the under-23s, Kevin Toner and Jordan Lyden.

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Both impressed in their respective positions: Toner as a 19-year old central defender, and Lyden as a 20-year old defensive midfielder/right back.

Lyden, in particular, was expected to play a crucial role in Villa’s return to the English Championship. With a large contingent of midfielders’ futures uncertain, Lyden had potential for extended match time.

That was until match-week 38 against Arsenal. Lyden tore his quadriceps on the final day of the season; one that required extensive rehabilitation that ruled him out until the fall of 2016.

When Aston Villa struggled under Roberto Di Matteo, rumors circulated about an injury return for Jordan Lyden.

Alas, it was not to be as a series of small injuries ruled him out until late March. By then, Lyden was training full-time, but never made an appearance with the first team. This, despite making six appearances in 2015/2016.

With a full, healthy summer of pre-season training, Lyden is preparing to fight for a place in the 18.

Lyden could compete for a spot as Jedinak’s deputy in defensive midfield. However, the possible addition of Glenn Whelan makes a loan move possible.

League One would be a good place for Lyden to play week in and week out at the professional level.

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