Aston Villa Reserves/Academy games and information

[Percy McCarthy]

Yes, agree with that Dante. Witness Barry in the reserves, running games, telling the others what runs to make etc. And they all look to pass to him. He just doesn't get that with senior pros. No coincidence that his best moments have come linking up with Albrighton and Hogg.

While acknowledging that it hasn't really happened for him, and that he's what -22? - I think Barry has so much ability, we should be very wary of letting him go for a good while yet.

[fredm]

Beautiful football in the 2nd half. Think we need to get them out on loan earlier though. How old is wee Barry? He's been this good for years at that level. When you think of Nathan Redmond doing well in the Championship at 17, well, it's food for thought anyway. Not sure what the answer is to be honest. Summat to debate perhaps.

This is where I think Villa have been very poor over recent years.  We have concentrated more on these lads winning reserve games than getting them out on loan and playing regularly with "big boys".  The likes of Bannan, Albrighton, Delfonso(sp), etc. etc. should have been out on season long loans when they were 18/19 not waiting till they were 21/22.

[Percy McCarthy]

I tend to agree Fred, but against that, I think Bazza especially has benefited from learning some fantastic technique from The Master (Sid).

[Mister E]

How can our reserve team be so good but our first team so crap?

This is the killer-question for teams with Academies.

I do not watch much of the Reserve-team / youth games but watching the  first team recently - and GG, BB, Herd and Albrighton in particular - I'd say:

- Villa does seem to be a club that takes the reserves more seriously than many: maybe that means much of the oppo are not as strong or as committed as they perhaps should be.
- the quality of the Premiership is obviously way ahead of the reserve league and playing against seasoned / international pros is a massive step up: look at GG and BB against McCarthy and MacArthur at Wigan. Look at pretty much all of Fonz's games.
- the players often come into the first team not playing their best position: BB playing wide against Blackburn; GG as MF strong-arm against Wigan ...
- the physicality of the Premiership makes it really tough for players like BB who has the talent but is physically disadvantaged (I speak as someone his height but somewhat heavier / older!). In contrast, CC has been able to make the transition more easily.
- getting a run in the first team is key for players like GG .... but Albie has had that and has not really kicked on. Whereas Herd has taken full advantage (at least, until his injury).
- getting drafted in to a first team low on confidence and results is never going to be easy.
- probably having to cow-tow to our old pros who may not be the most gifted / intelligent / motivated / other cannot be easy.

If the much-vaunted clear-out hppens in the summer, we may see this generation flowering more obviously thann we have done so to date.

[Percy McCarthy]

Excellent points EffDee. I think the time is fast approaching when we could have a midfield of Albrighton, Clark, Herd, Gardner and Bannan, and for us to expect them to be old enough, big enough (BB excepted), experienced enough and talented enough to be competitive. Can't wait personally.

[Dante Lavelli]

Excellent points EffDee. I think the time is fast approaching when we could have a midfield of Albrighton, Clark, Herd, Gardner and Bannan, and for us to expect them to be old enough, big enough (BB excepted), experienced enough and talented enough to be competitive. Can't wait personally.

Even on the proverbial paper that team looks comparable with what we currently put out.  Add in that they've played together a lot and that they will naturally have to step up with regards to leadership and trying to stamp their authority on the team then it could be good.

Licaj < Hutton is another one of those instances where the difference in quality might mean it's better to trust the younger (cheaper) option.

[Mister E]

How can our reserve team be so good but our first team so crap?

This is the killer-question for teams with Academies.

I do not watch much of the Reserve-team / youth games but watching the  first team recently - and GG, BB, Herd and Albrighton in particular - I'd say:

- Villa does seem to be a club that takes the reserves more seriously than many: maybe that means much of the oppo are not as strong or as committed as they perhaps should be.
- the quality of the Premiership is obviously way ahead of the reserve league and playing against seasoned / international pros is a massive step up: look at GG and BB against McCarthy and MacArthur at Wigan. Look at pretty much all of Fonz's games.
- the players often come into the first team not playing their best position: BB playing wide against Blackburn; GG as MF strong-arm against Wigan ...
- the physicality of the Premiership makes it really tough for players like BB who has the talent but is physically disadvantaged (I speak as someone his height but somewhat heavier / older!). In contrast, CC has been able to make the transition more easily.
- getting a run in the first team is key for players like GG .... but Albie has had that and has not really kicked on. Whereas Herd has taken full advantage (at least, until his injury).
- getting drafted in to a first team low on confidence and results is never going to be easy.
- probably having to cow-tow to our old pros who may not be the most gifted / intelligent / motivated / other cannot be easy.

If the much-vaunted clear-out hppens in the summer, we may see this generation flowering more obviously thann we have done so to date.

In addition to the above variables there's also the uncertainty of individual character, resilience, commitment and single-mindedness.
Young BB has already shown some mental flakiness with his driving problems earlier this season; Fonz apparently suffered from the complacency that sometimes comes with the first full-time contract.

Try as they might, the coaching staff can only go so far in being able to shape character to ally with the footballing talent the kids already possess.

[Dante Lavelli]

How can our reserve team be so good but our first team so crap?

This is the killer-question for teams with Academies.

I do not watch much of the Reserve-team / youth games but watching the  first team recently - and GG, BB, Herd and Albrighton in particular - I'd say:

- Villa does seem to be a club that takes the reserves more seriously than many: maybe that means much of the oppo are not as strong or as committed as they perhaps should be.
- the quality of the Premiership is obviously way ahead of the reserve league and playing against seasoned / international pros is a massive step up: look at GG and BB against McCarthy and MacArthur at Wigan. Look at pretty much all of Fonz's games.
- the players often come into the first team not playing their best position: BB playing wide against Blackburn; GG as MF strong-arm against Wigan ...
- the physicality of the Premiership makes it really tough for players like BB who has the talent but is physically disadvantaged (I speak as someone his height but somewhat heavier / older!). In contrast, CC has been able to make the transition more easily.
- getting a run in the first team is key for players like GG .... but Albie has had that and has not really kicked on. Whereas Herd has taken full advantage (at least, until his injury).
- getting drafted in to a first team low on confidence and results is never going to be easy.
- probably having to cow-tow to our old pros who may not be the most gifted / intelligent / motivated / other cannot be easy.

If the much-vaunted clear-out hppens in the summer, we may see this generation flowering more obviously thann we have done so to date.

In addition to the above variables there's also the uncertainty of individual character, resilience, commitment and single-mindedness.
Young BB has already shown some mental flakiness with his driving problems earlier this season; Fonz apparently suffered from the complacency that sometimes comes with the first full-time contract.

Try as they might, the coaching staff can only go so far in being able to shape character to ally with the footballing talent the kids already possess.

On the flip side, Herd seems to relish the opportunities he's getting.
He was rarely touted as one of the good 'uns from people in the know.

[Mister E]

On the flip side, Herd seems to relish the opportunities he's getting.
He was rarely touted as one of the good 'uns from people in the know.

Oh, I agree; hence the points I was making re the uncertainty of it all.
Herd was never the guy that people spoke glowingly about but he has matured, presumably remained totally focussed on succeeding and has the physical and - it seems - the skills attributes to make it.
Others may or may not come through over the next 6-9 months as they mature.

[D.boy]

Why is it that other prem teams are happy to give 1st team opportunitys to players aged 17/18 yrs yet we are wary of putting 21/22 yr olds in the team. Look at players like Rooney/Walcott/Giggs etc and see how old they were when they started holding down regular first team places.

[Somniloquism]

Why is it that other prem teams are happy to give 1st team opportunitys to players aged 17/18 yrs yet we are wary of putting 21/22 yr olds in the team. Look at players like Rooney/Walcott/Giggs etc and see how old they were when they started holding down regular first team places.

The ones you mentioned are very exceptional. Even Beckham and Scholes only started playing regularly in their early twenties. But the main issues are we are never comfortable enough to give kids that young a real chance and mainly play them in emergencies. Also where Arse and ManU can start a load of them in Cup matches or even league matches, we can't as we will probably be done for fielding a weakened side.

[Matt Collins]

I love the fact we've got so many kids coming through. But I've watched a few ressie games on avtv and the gap with the premier league is massive. I do worry that we have a bunch of players who beat all comers from the age of 14 upwards, but aren't well prepared enough for the challenge of first team football. For the most part, they've either been ok or poor when on loan. Cahill's performances at burnley were of a very different order compared to more recent experiences. I think they might tend to be a bit 'nice'.

[UK Redsox]

I'm hoping to make the Reserves v Norwich game tomorrow.

Is the main carpark open to all-comers for Reserve games ?

[Legion]

Yes.

[UK Redsox]

Thanks Leeg