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Aston Villa: Andre Green’s development is a curious story to busy summer

By Dean Caffrey

TELFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 14: Andre Green of Aston Villa runs with the ball during the Pre-season friendly between AFC Telford United and Aston Villa at New Bucks Head Stadium on July 14, 2018 in Telford, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)
TELFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 14: Andre Green of Aston Villa runs with the ball during the Pre-season friendly between AFC Telford United and Aston Villa at New Bucks Head Stadium on July 14, 2018 in Telford, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images) /
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Andre Green played his part in the second-half of last season, alternating starts with Albert Adomah on the right-wing to solid effect.

Aston Villa’s rotation on the flanks last season was fairly effective, not because of the respective form of Green and Adomah during this period, but because they were both completely different players. It forced opposing defenders to rethink how to shackle their opponent. Adomah preferred to get the ball and cross quickly from all areas of the pitch, whereas Green has an extra bit of agility and trickery to get around opposing defenders.

It could be argued that right-wing was the weakest part of the Aston Villa team last campaign, as neither Green, Adomah or Ahmed Elmohamady could nail down the spot for long stretches.. Green was actually loaned to Portsmouth for the first-half of the season, indicating that he wasn’t in the immediate plans of previous manager Steve Bruce. It wasn’t a popular decision at the time, but to be fair to the old boss, Green hasn’t shown a scoring touch since coming back into the Villa fold.

His loan move got him playing games. He knocked Norwich City out of the FA Cup with a late winner at Carrow Road, the highlight of his loan move at Pompey. Upon his Villa return, a couple of strong substitute appearances and an equalizing header in that dramatic 3-3 comeback draw with Sheffield United offered glimpses of his potential. The frank truth is he hasn’t kicked on since, even though he’d been afforded eight league starts towards the end of the season, often contriving to run into defender’s tackles or take a heavy touch to concede possession.

I don’t think any Villa fan doubts his potential, and at 20, he still has years to go in his career to try and showcase his ceiling as a player.

The burning question now is where does Andre Green fit into a now ‘Premier League’ Aston Villa squad?

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The inconsistency in his game is undoubtedly a concern, and the incoming competition now in Jota and Anwar El Ghazi won’t make his life any easier. A loan move to the Championship or League 1?

Perhaps, but squad depth in the wide areas is rather low (at the moment).

A full season playing in the EFL could be the making of him (Jack Grealish’s spell at Notts County a case in point) and could help iron out any rough edges in his game. A consistent spell out on loan will mean he’s shown he can perform on a regular basis, and he’ll still only be entering his age-22 season upon his return. It wouldn’t be too detrimental to his chances of breaking into the Villa squad at all. The other alternative is to keep him in and around the squad, possibly making a few substitute appearances and getting games in the cup competitions. He’ll be learning every day from the coaches at the club, and getting Premier League experience under his belt. Villa may need him for cover on the wing as currently there are just 3 wide men (Green, El Ghazi and Jota) on the panel.

It’s a tough situation for Dean Smith and his staff to weigh up, but one that will be decided in the next couple of weeks.

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