Many Aston Villa fans have reacted to news reported by journalist Gregg Evans, who has claimed that the club are set to strengthen the academy side with two foreign based signings.
The Claret and Blue outfit are currently involved in a relegation battle with West Ham United, Watford and Bournemouth as the Premier League has just two games left to play.
Aston Villa will sign 16-year-old defender Aaron O’Reilly from St Patrick’s.#AVFC are looking to bolster their academy further in the weeks ahead.https://t.co/Atr4jy5eEO
— Gregg Evans (@greggevans40) July 20, 2020
First team boss Dean Smith, who guided the Midlands outfit to promotion from the Championship last term has been desperate to find a level of consistency this term but to no avail as yet and the pressure is now firmly on his shoulders to keep the 1982 European Cup winners in England’s top flight.
Whilst first team matters continue to be the main priority at Villa, The Athletic reporter Evans has claimed that improvements are being made at academy level with two new arrivals set to be announced, as well as Aaron O’Reilly coming in from Ireland.
Aston Villa are continuing attempts to strengthen the club’s academy. They are closing in on two exciting teenagers from Europe, who will go straight into the U23’s. [gregg evans] #avfc
— villareport (@villareport) July 20, 2020
Villa’s current under-23 side includes the likes of Louie Barry, who has recently training with Dean Smith’s first team squad. Adding more talent to that squad can only be good news for their future.
Reacting to Evans’ transfer report which was shared by @villareport, fans have a varied response however. Whilst some were happy to see the news, with one even asking if they can go straight into the first team, others were more sceptical and suggested that youth don’t usually get a chance at Villa these days.
Indeed, taking Barry as an example he is yet to make a first team appearance since arriving from Barcelona. Meanwhile another likened them to Marc Albrighton, who came through the ranks only to be sold and eventually achieve bigger and better things with Leicester City…
Can’t wait for us to not use them at all, loan them to a League 1 side and sell them without giving them a chance
— ⚽️ (@avfcrob__) July 20, 2020
Wingers? If so, can they go straight in to the first team?
— Kris Robinson (@KrisRobinsonn) July 20, 2020
Well unless we start giving youth a chance, it’s not worth getting excited about
— 🦁Michael Wyant 🦁 (@WyantWyant) July 21, 2020
can any of them finish?
— James Cannon (@callowist) July 20, 2020
Happy we are continuing too invest in the future.
— Jack (@jackjack95_) July 20, 2020
It’s not like we usually end up playing any of these kids.
— andreas (@andreasme84) July 21, 2020
Marc Albrighton #18 and 19 incoming. Hope one of the top 6 really enjoy them when they turn into good players and we inevitably get rid
— Hayes (@HayesLockett) July 20, 2020
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