EFL Trophy

[AV82EC]

I think my response could be summed up with.....meh.

[Villa Lew]

Don't agree with letting the clubs in, but from the Premier League only Burnley, Bournemouth, Palace, Sheffield United and Watford are not entering teams, so it does make sense for us to be in it.

[Joe S]

It would be interesting to see how many went to the final should the young uns get there though.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Rubbish having Prem teams in this, supposed to be for lower league teams.

That being said, it would be funny if we ended up winning it as many times as Blues.

[PeterWithesShin]

There would be something quite amusing about our youth team winning the second biggest trophy sha have ever won.

[UK Redsox]

Is this regional ?

If so, how far south/west could Villa play?

It would be great if Villa were grouped with ‘Nam and/or FGR

[cdbearsfan]

Two regions, North and South. Or at least is has been in recent seasons.

[lennythekad]

Link below. Looks like one out of us, Wolves and Leicester would be in Southern section to balance up the 8/8.


https://www.premierleague.com/news/60510

[cdbearsfan]

Norwich will be in the South. Villa, Wolves and Leicester will be in the North.

I reckon, anyway.

Norwich is further North than us but has better transport links with the South-East than it does with the North or even The Midlands.

[PeterWithesShin]

Norwich is further North than us and Wolverhampton. Think it's about level with Leicester.

Edit: They were in the Southern section last time they were in Div 3 for a season.

[cdbearsfan]

They were also in with all the Cockerneys (and Ipswich) last time the Academy League was competed in a regional basis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011-12_Premier_Academy_League

[lennythekad]

Having written them out, I think you’re right cd.

[Davkaus]

I'll be honest, it doesn't overly bother me either way.

It doesn't bother most fans of PL clubs, because it's an insignificant trophy we couldn't give a toss about. For a lot of clubs, however, it was their opportunity for an exciting cup run, and their shot at silverware once a year.

Turning it in to a training exercise for a bunch of PL prospects is BS, it's what the youth cups and loan deals are for. Lower league clubs should be able to have their own tournaments without it being subverted for the benefit of the rich clubs.

Having said that, the furthest a youth team has ever got is the semi final, so perhaps it's a fuss about nothing.

[ASHTONVILLA]

I can see it being useful experience for the young players, and be great if we got a trophy in the cabinet.

[cdbearsfan]

I'll be honest, it doesn't overly bother me either way.

It doesn't bother most fans of PL clubs, because it's an insignificant trophy we couldn't give a toss about. For a lot of clubs, however, it was their opportunity for an exciting cup run, and their shot at silverware once a year.

Turning it in to a training exercise for a bunch of PL prospects is BS, it's what the youth cups and loan deals are for. Lower league clubs should be able to have their own tournaments without it being subverted for the benefit of the rich clubs.

Having said that, the furthest a youth team has ever got is the semi final, so perhaps it's a fuss about nothing.

Even then, the semifinals are a big deal for teams that rarely get a chance in the spotlight. And one of the Premier League kids' teams is bound to get to the final sooner or later, denying one of the lesser lights their day in the sun.