At the start of the month Trent Alexander Arnold announced a new programme aimed at helping those players that were released by professional academies – lest we forget, 99% of players who join an academy at nine years old do not make it as a professional footballer.
The Liverpool right back made clear the impact on education, career prospects and mental health of those for whom football dreams are shattered. Simultaneously, Paramount Plus’ new documentary series on the Premier League quotes write football writer Julie Welch’s view that academies are “trading in young men’s dreams”.
It is within this sobering context that Villa’s academy prospects engaged in a pivotal week – bookended by the showpiece U18 Premier League Cup Final on Thursday and the U21 Premier League 2 Play Off Semi Final on Monday.
Both games sum up what is at the heart of Alexander-Arnold’s and Welch’s observations above – the pressure to succeed all within the knowledge of the scarcity of that success. The added irony is that as football’s popularity and omnipresence has swelled the coverage and exposure of these under-age games is greater than at any point in the past.
PART ONE: THURSDAY IN B6
There was a decent turn out at Villa Park for the U18 Final, Villa welcoming Tottenham Hotspur’s age group side who had already beaten Villa twice in the league this season. It points to a strong positivity around the club that this was the case, with many taking the opportunity to experience ‘home’ in a different context whilst supporting the academy side in gaining the club some silverware.
It helped Villa named a strong side with many recognisable names from the U21 squad and several who have been in around the first team this term – Josh Feeney is a regular in first team training, and toured Australia last Summer whilst both Kadan Young and Travis Patterson have made Premier League benches recently.
Pictured – Villa’s Young Lions line up for the U18 Premier League Cup Final
It was clear Villa were intent on setting up positively with Young and Patterson joined by the sparking Omari Kellyman (a standout in the U21 side this year) and Luca Lynch in a fluid four behind natural finisher Rory Wilson. Feeney was joined in defence by the no nonsense Kerr Smith and Finley Monroe who had impressed in the side’s Birmingham Senior Cup campaign, notably with an all action goalscoring performance against Alvechurch.
The positivity of Villa’s selection seemed a risk as there was an obvious possibility that when Spurs had the opportunity to counter then Todd Alcock ran the gauntlet of being overrun in midfield as his attacking colleagues may struggle to get back. And so it proved, as Spurs soaked up pressure and looked slick on the break. Ironically, Villa took the lead – very much against the run of play – through Wilson after a surging run from Kellyman and assisted by a cushioned header from Lynch. Initially the goal seemed to nullify Spurs, but the reprieve was temporary and Rio Kyerematen levelled things up just before the break.
Pictured – Villa celebrate Rory Wilson’s opening goal
Over half time Kellyman was withdrawn, although the reason was unclear. Given he had looked bright in the first 45, one would hope it was forced but equally there was a need for Villa to have someone alongside Alcock to shore things up in the centre of the pitch. Either way, Mikell Barnes replaced him and initially the tactical switch seemed to work but the midfielder was at fault as a Villa attacking phase broke down and gifted Spurs their second just after the hour. Two soon became three and despite some huffing and puffing Villa couldn’t claw themselves back into contention – a Kerr Smith header off the Spurs bar the closest they came.
As the final whistle blew Villa’s players collapsed to the ground in obvious devastation. As they reluctantly trudged up to collect their loser’s medals and politely clapped as Spurs lifted the trophy it was tempting to wonder how much of the agony on display was rooted in the individual match or whether it linked to that context of succeeding as professional players. Moments like this might be few and far between – as individuals it is inevitable they would question privately whether they had done enough and whether they would have the opportunity again. In reality, Spurs were the better team – and as bizarre as it sounds talking of U18 games – Villa’s key players were largely quiet. The popular opinion around Bodymoor Heath is that Kadan Young is one of those most likely to make the grade but his impact was fleeting here. He has a technical ability that belies his age and copes physically – but he is very one footed and sometimes seems unable or unwilling to beat his man. There will be more to come from him, no doubt. The same goes for Josh Feeney who exudes a calm authority at the back and will surely play lower League football imminently as his development continues.
There was a touching moment as Spurs celebrated in front of the Holte End banner depicting Ugo Ehiogu who was a youth coach at Spurs when he tragically passed away – as the official club account tweeted – ‘Forever In Our Hearts Ugo’. HEITS
Pictured – Spurs celebrate their win under the watchful eye of Ugo Ehiogu
PART 2: MONDAY IN WEST YORKSHIRE
As we reached the dog end of the Coronation weekend the U21 side wound their way to Leeds for the Premier League 2 Play Off Semi Final. It wasn’t a huge surprise that Josh Feeney and Kerr Smith reprised their centre back pairing from Thursday in the older age group, and equally that Kadan Young was selected again. Travis Patterson, who also played in the cup loss, was named in the starting XI, another clear pointer he is impressing around the club. The U18 quartet were joined by U21 regulars Kesler-Hayden, Seb Revan (last seen celebrating after the Leicester PL game), Hayden Lindley, Brad Young and Arjan Raikhy. Especially pleasing was the return to starting action of Tommi O’Reilly who had been so impressive at this level prior to an almost season ending injury. He adds a probing creativity to this U21 side that isn’t easily replaced when he is absent.
Pictured – A welcome return for the influential Tommi O’Reilly
Leeds named a side similar to the one that beat Villa 2-1 at Bodymoor Heath back in August 2022. Sonny Perkins – who scored both Leeds goals that night – would again pose a serious threat alongside John McGinn’s friend from the Australia tour, Archie Gray. Interestingly Leeds’ record signing Rutter was also included. Leeds of course were close to going up automatically in the regular Premier League 2 season, whilst Villa had to win three of their last five to sneak into the Play offs. Stage set.
It was Perkins who forced the first save of the match but Villa who drew actual first blood, when Brad Young headed home O’Reilly’s deflected cross. After a less than inspiring loan at Ayr United, Young has returned to the U21 side to score some important goals as Villa salvaged their play-off place – there’s a directness to the side when he is in it, compared to the often seen front three of Afoka, Kellyman and Young which lacks an out and out striker. Leeds were dominating the ball however and despite some solid work from Zych in the Villa net, he was powerless to prevent Mateo Joseph equalising after 29 minutes from close range. There was a sense of impending doom as Perkins (obviously) curled one in just before the break to give Leeds the lead.
Pictured – Brad Young had given Villa the lead before Leeds grew to dominate
Villa started the second period brightly and Raikhy shot marginally wide from the edge of the area, but Leeds and that man Perkins continued to look a threat, not least when going close from a free kick after Villa failed to cope with the quick feet of McGurk.
Pictured – Captain Seb Revan fought hard to no avail
Despite the introduction of Omari Kellyman and Chisom Afoka Villa could not force an equaliser as Leeds rested fairly easily on their laurels. The U21 season drew to a disappointing close.
So, both games in this pivotal academy week have been lost – and both to sides that had beaten the two age group sides twice already this season. This certainly points to a pecking order amongst these academy outfits and gives lie to some of the belief held about Villa’s own academy system. If the main purpose of both U18 and U21 games is competitive and professional development then the purpose has been served. There is a nagging doubt, however, about the consistency of some of the planning behind the scenes as Villa have had a muddled approach to loans which has contributed to a high crossover between the U18 and U21 sides – as exemplified this week.
Given how this read started, and the context of academies and potential for limited success, it is fascinating to wonder what the future holds for this U21 group – or at least the ‘elder’ statesman amongst them. Many – including Brad Young, Revan, Raikhy and Lindley – are out of contract and several sources have suggested none will see a renewal. None have ever made a competitive first team appearance. Even the much-vaunted Kesler Hayden seems to be at a crossroads, with a mixed Championship loan spell at Huddersfield behind him, but again no nearer the first team picture.
Of the contingent that also played U18 football on Thursday there is clearly longer to evaluate and prove worth but they will be keenly aware of the precarious nature of their footballing careers and will be desperate to continue making their mark for Villa and possibly (probably) beyond.
A closing thought. If we want clues as to who is still hanging onto the dream Trent Alexander Arnold described then we need look no further than Unai Emery. When asked earlier in the season about why there was often two goalkeepers featuring on the bench he explained that he felt it unfair to have young players on the bench who were not ready just to ‘fill a place’. So the fact that Revan, Kadan Young, Patterson and Tommi O’Reilly have all since been on the bench maybe gives a sense of what is what.
The caveat – and contradiction – to that, something which exemplifies how hard it is for these academy products, is that at Wolves on Saturday, as first teamers returned from injury none of the aforementioned were anywhere near Molineux, let alone the bench.
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AUTHOR | IVAN MCDOUALL
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