Aston Villa are one of the Premier League clubs who are blessed with some blistering young talents. Over the last few years, a lot of young players have emerged through Villa’s academy. In the same vein, another academy prospect is making his name with the youth setup. Labelled as the “little Phil Foden”, Tommi O’Reilly is impressing consistently for Aston Villa U18 and U23 sides.
Aston Villa have massively developed their academy through the years. Many players went on to carve out successful careers coming through the Villans’ youth ranks. Gareth Barry, Gary Cahill, Steven Davis and Marc Albrighton are just to name a few. Furthermore, Jacob Ramsey in another starlet who has had breakthrough season with Aston Villa. The midfielder has played a massive 29 league games for the Midlands club this season, scoring 6 times.
Likewise Ramsey, Aston Villa in now being urged to consider the little Phil Foden, Tommi O’Reilly as future prospect of the club. Steven Gerrard is known to be a manager who constantly looks for young players. The Englishman has another opportunity to help bloom a young talent in O’Reilly. However, O’Reilly is yet to make his debut for Aston Villa’s senior side.
Aston Villa and their “little Phil Foden”
Phil Foden is a name who has reached the households through Manchester City. The academy product of the Manchester club has improved staggeringly within a short span of time. Foden already has 162 senior appearances for City, scoring 42 times and assisting 31. In the process, Phil Foden has established himself as a first-team regular with the Cityzens as well. O’Reilly is deemed as “little Phil Foden” since his growth at Aston Villa is likened with the City player.
Foden made 38 appearances for City’s U18s and U23s before making the cut with the first-team. O’Reilly has played an impressive 37 games for Villa’s U18s and U23s. The ‘little Phil Foden’ has marked those 37 games for Aston Villa with 5 goals and 2 assists. However, O’Reilly has also made three match-day squads as well for Steven Gerrard’s side.
Though O’Reilly hasn’t managed a minute with Villa’s senior team, it is imminent that he collects some. As the Premier League is now approaching its final run with only 7 games left for Villa to play, O’Reilly could hope for his first-team debut. Nonetheless, the ‘little Phil Foden’ has continued to deliver for the youth ranks of Aston Villa.
Aston Villa journalist Ashley Preece back in February published his player ratings for the young Villans from their game against Norwich. Tommi O’Reilly was on the receiving end of high praise from Preece. “The kid’s [O’Reilly] just lovely to watch. O’Reilly has fantastic balance and a great touch.
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