U21, Youth and Ladies 2013/14

[Dante Lavelli]

I was thinking with Gabby and Andi injured it would be good to recall Grealish and/or Carruthers to give us a bit of unpredictability, freshness and guile.

In the absence of anything better, the loan system is key for turning promising youngsters into first team players. Tottenham have used it the most effectively in recent times - sending players out to the lower leagues and even getting Premier League experience for some of their better players e.g. Walker, Rose, Naughton, Townsend and Livermore.

The idea of B sides joining the football league should be discussed by this commission that's been put together to look at youth football.

B sides would only be a good idea for the future of English football if you say that 6/7 players have to be English qualified

I'd prefer that bigger clubs were allowed to invest say 40% into the smaller clubs.  They'd then become feeder clubs in essence  but they'd maintain most of their identity.  I'm not sure I'd want to see Man U B, whereas Oldham Athletic (with money and players being supplied by Man U) is more palatable.

[Matt Collins]

I agree with the post above. B teams in the league, in England, is unpalatable to me. But I'd love it if Villa struck up a relationship with a couple of lower league clubs that had a supportive environment for our kids, playing good football.

I just watched the highlights of our 6-2 win v Newcastle. I know there are calls for the likes of Robinson to come in. But I can honestly say I don't think any of the 6 goals we scored in that game would be remotely possible even against mediocre premier league sides or probably lower league professionals. Slightly sloppy touches, finishes close to the keeper and a delay in playing the through ball don't get punished and you can still score. It breeds complacency and isn't a demanding enough environment for kids to really develop their touch and general play in a really physically demanding environment.

[Legion]

I'd like to see us linked with Walsall in that scenario.

[OCD]

I agree with the idea of linking up with a couple of local clubs and getting our young players first team experience with them. How likely that is, I don't know because I think it could run into complication where we get drawn in the cup to those teams and I don't know how receptive those clubs would be to the idea.

The discussion of B teams was also part of a bigger discussion on the way forward for 18-22 year olds throughout the country as it's been identified that as a nation we're good at developing players up until that age and then there's a big drop off.

For a long time though I've wanted the bigger clubs to be more supportive of the smaller and/or clubs that are struggling against bankruptcy. There should be something there which can better aid the development of young, English players and also help those clubs survive.

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

From the o/s.
Michael Drennan returns to action for Villa in tonight's Barclays U21 Premier League clash against Arsenal.

Drennan will play his first match of the campaign at Boreham Wood this evening [ko 7pm].

The Republic of Ireland youth striker, who has been nursing a long-term foot injury, replaces Callum Robinson in the only change from last week's 6-2 win over Newcastle.

Robinson - a hat-trick hero in the Magpies victory - has been called up by England U19s for Thursday's friendly against Hungary in Budapest.

[Legion]

Arsenal U21 1-0 Villa U21 - GOAL - 15 mins: Serge Gnabry has broken the deadlock for Arsenal, converting Jon Toral's left-wing cutback from around eight yards. Moments earlier, Graham Burke had a low shot pushed away by Gunners keeper Matt Macey after a slick move involving Daniel Johnson.

[Legion]

Arsenal U21 2-0 Villa U21 - GOAL - 25 mins: Another blow for Gordon Cowans' team as the Gunners bag a second. This time roles were reversed as Serge Gnabry made a quick break down the right and crossed to the back post for Jon Toral to tap home.

[Legion]

Arsenal U21 4-0 Villa U21 - HT - A first half to forget for Gordon Cowans' team. It could have been a different scenario had two long-range efforts from Graham Burke found their way into the bottom corner, but Gunners keeper Matt Macey made brilliant saves on both occasions. Arsenal, though, carved open the Villa defence with Jon Toral scoring twice and Serge Gnabry and Emmanuel Frimpong also getting on the scoresheet.

[Legion]

Arsenal U21 4-1 Villa U21 - GOAL - 52 mins: Welcome back Michael Drennan. The Irishman has given Villa hope with a goal in his first game for nine months. He reacted quickly to a poor clearance from keeper Matt Macey and fired a low left-foot shot into the bottom corner.

[Legion]

4-2 Burke.

[adrenachrome]

TheFA

Aston Villa's Callum Robinson says he must grasp his England U19s opportunity with both hands


By Jamie Reid in Hungary

Callum Robinson says he cannot wait to pull on the England U19s jersey for the first time – and knows he must grasp the opportunity with both hands.

The 18-year-old forward was a late addition to Noel Blake’s squad for the trip to Budapest to face Hungary on Thursday - and the Aston Villa man was thrilled to get the call on Sunday evening.

“Obviously to get called up for your country, it’s an amazing feeling,” he said.

“It’s great playing for Aston Villa at club level – but to get the call up for your country is something else and I’m delighted to be here. Hopefully I can do well and, next time, get into the squad and not [be] on standby.”

The call-up marks the end of a fine week for Robinson, who made his debut for the Aston Villa senior team in the League Cup defeat at home to Tottenham in September.

“I got a hat-trick for Aston Villa U21s last Monday against Newcastle and then I was on the bench in the Premier League on Saturday [against Cardiff] for the first team – and then got the call-up for England U19s as well – so not a bad week!”

England face Hungary on Thursday afternoon, as the Young Lions step up their preparation for the UEFA European U19 Champions Elite Round qualification, which takes place next May.

Should the U19s successfully navigate the Elite Round, they will return to Hungary in July for the finals.

But For Robinson, who was a regular performer for the U16s and U17s before suffering a frustrating succession of injuries, the trip is all about two things.

“Obviously from the team’s perspective we’re here to play well and win the game – it’s as simple as that,” he said.

“From a personal point of view I’d like to play, and play well – if I could nick a goal then that would be really good.

“For me it’s about getting back into the team, showing the right attitude, impressing on the pitch and grasping the opportunity if it comes my way.”

Callum Robinson says he cannot wait to pull on the England U19s jersey for the first time – and knows he must grasp the opportunity with both hands.

The 18-year-old forward was a late addition to Noel Blake’s squad for the trip to Budapest to face Hungary on Thursday - and the Aston Villa man was thrilled to get the call on Sunday evening.

“Obviously to get called up for your country, it’s an amazing feeling,” he said.

“It’s great playing for Aston Villa at club level – but to get the call up for your country is something else and I’m delighted to be here. Hopefully I can do well and, next time, get into the squad and not [be] on standby.”

The call-up marks the end of a fine week for Robinson, who made his debut for the Aston Villa senior team in the League Cup defeat at home to Tottenham in September.

“I got a hat-trick for Aston Villa U21s last Monday against Newcastle and then I was on the bench in the Premier League on Saturday [against Cardiff] for the first team – and then got the call-up for England U19s as well – so not a bad week!”

England face Hungary on Thursday afternoon, as the Young Lions step up their preparation for the UEFA European U19 Champions Elite Round qualification, which takes place next May.

Should the U19s successfully navigate the Elite Round, they will return to Hungary in July for the finals.

But For Robinson, who was a regular performer for the U16s and U17s before suffering a frustrating succession of injuries, the trip is all about two things.

“Obviously from the team’s perspective we’re here to play well and win the game – it’s as simple as that,” he said.

“From a personal point of view I’d like to play, and play well – if I could nick a goal then that would be really good.

“For me it’s about getting back into the team, showing the right attitude, impressing on the pitch and grasping the opportunity if it comes my way.”

Robinson echoed U19s captain Calum Chambers’ observation that with minutes on the pitch for England so limited throughout the year, it’s vital that you seize the moment whenever it arises, or for however long it may be.

“Any time you get on the pitch for England you know you have to work hard and impress,” he added.

“Of course it’s the same for your club, although sometimes you are a little more comfortable with that because you know you might not have to wait too long for an opportunity to correct a poor performance but with England, it can be weeks, months or longer before you get another chance. So you really have to make it count.

"The players here are the best of your age in the country, so the competition for places is fierce. Everyone is on it, everyone has a huge amount of talent otherwise they wouldn’t be here so any amount of minutes you get you have to make the most of.

“You have to work hard, play well and do what you do – do what’s got here in the first place.”

“Obviously I’d love to be coming back here next July, but that’s down to performances. As I said, there’s so much talent in England at your age group you’ve got to be constantly on it and playing well.

“But it’s a fantastic incentive, that’s for sure.”

Callum Robinson says he cannot wait to pull on the England U19s jersey for the first time – and knows he must grasp the opportunity with both hands.

The 18-year-old forward was a late addition to Noel Blake’s squad for the trip to Budapest to face Hungary on Thursday - and the Aston Villa man was thrilled to get the call on Sunday evening.

“Obviously to get called up for your country, it’s an amazing feeling,” he said.

“It’s great playing for Aston Villa at club level – but to get the call up for your country is something else and I’m delighted to be here. Hopefully I can do well and, next time, get into the squad and not [be] on standby.”

The call-up marks the end of a fine week for Robinson, who made his debut for the Aston Villa senior team in the League Cup defeat at home to Tottenham in September.

“I got a hat-trick for Aston Villa U21s last Monday against Newcastle and then I was on the bench in the Premier League on Saturday [against Cardiff] for the first team – and then got the call-up for England U19s as well – so not a bad week!”

England face Hungary on Thursday afternoon, as the Young Lions step up their preparation for the UEFA European U19 Champions Elite Round qualification, which takes place next May.

Should the U19s successfully navigate the Elite Round, they will return to Hungary in July for the finals.

But For Robinson, who was a regular performer for the U16s and U17s before suffering a frustrating succession of injuries, the trip is all about two things.

“Obviously from the team’s perspective we’re here to play well and win the game – it’s as simple as that,” he said.

“From a personal point of view I’d like to play, and play well – if I could nick a goal then that would be really good.

“For me it’s about getting back into the team, showing the right attitude, impressing on the pitch and grasping the opportunity if it comes my way.”

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

Came on in the 63rd minute when 3 - 0 up.
Scored the 4th to ensure a 4-1 win.

http://www.thefa.com/england/mens-u19s/News/2013/england-u19s-hungary-141113.aspx

[PGW]

Came on in the 63rd minute when 3 - 0 up.
Scored the 4th to ensure a 4-1 win.

http://www.thefa.com/england/mens-u19s/News/2013/england-u19s-hungary-141113.aspx

That was perfect timing was just gonna try and find out how they got on and Hey Presto!!!

Fair play to young Callum!

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

It is half-time at the Showgrounds in Sligo and the Republic of Ireland lead the Faroe Islands 5-2 in a European Championship Under-21 qualifier. The Republic's goals have come from Samir Carruthers, Aiden O'Brien (2), Jack Grealish and Anthony Forde.

I might as well post it here as well.

[Larry Duff]

The Academy team beat Norwich 5-4 this afternoon at Bodymore. It was a 5-4 thrashing.  In the first half we missed about six one on ones with the keeper who saved every one with his feet. 
Henry Cowans put us in front and then the impressive Harry McKirdy added two more to make it 3-0. After surviving several chances Norwich scored to make it 3-1. Ricardo Calder then scored to give us a 4-1 lead at half time.
The second half was a bit more even and Norwich scored two more to bring the score back to an unlikely 4-3. Jerrell Sellars then made it 5-3 with 5 minutes remaining but a last minute Norwich goal made the final score 5-4.
Villa were tremendous going forward but not very good defensively.  Strangely in a defense that conceded four goals, Kevin Toner at centre back was superb and is a very good prospect.