Reserves and Academy 2022/23

[Risso]

I'm not sure about us listing Raikhy and Chuk Jr on there, both joined us as schoolkids (14 and 12 respectively, I think). They're certainly very different to Smith, Feeney and Chrisene who had already player senior football before they arrived.

Chukwuemeka was at Northampton School for Boys when he joined, and apparently we've had a few kids from there in our academy. They do really well at providing elite sports people, eg Courtney Lawes, considering they're a state school.

[paul_e]

I'm not sure about us listing Raikhy and Chuk Jr on there, both joined us as schoolkids (14 and 12 respectively, I think). They're certainly very different to Smith, Feeney and Chrisene who had already player senior football before they arrived.

Chukwuemeka was at Northampton School for Boys when he joined, and apparently we've had a few kids from there in our academy. They do really well at providing elite sports people, eg Courtney Lawes, considering they're a state school.

I think you have to add a bit of context there though, it's not a 'normal' state school, they're an official partner to saints and get most of their rugby coaching from the club, that makes sporting excellence a bit easier to achieve. It fact how that school runs is exactly what academies should be because the involvement of saints with them has helped everyone at the school. Probably going too far off topic there though but if Villa could formalise their links with local schools in a similar way I'd be all for it.

[Risso]

I'm not sure about us listing Raikhy and Chuk Jr on there, both joined us as schoolkids (14 and 12 respectively, I think). They're certainly very different to Smith, Feeney and Chrisene who had already player senior football before they arrived.

Chukwuemeka was at Northampton School for Boys when he joined, and apparently we've had a few kids from there in our academy. They do really well at providing elite sports people, eg Courtney Lawes, considering they're a state school.

I think you have to add a bit of context there though, it's not a 'normal' state school, they're an official partner to saints and get most of their rugby coaching from the club, that makes sporting excellence a bit easier to achieve. It fact how that school runs is exactly what academies should be because the involvement of saints with them has helped everyone at the school. Probably going too far off topic there though but if Villa could formalise their links with local schools in a similar way I'd be all for it.

All true. They also got left a large amount of money from an old boy, so their sporting facilities are excellent and they're under no pressure to sell off their playing fields like a lot of state schools. All a bit Off Topic, sorry.

[Dante Lavelli]

I'm not sure about us listing Raikhy and Chuk Jr on there, both joined us as schoolkids (14 and 12 respectively, I think). They're certainly very different to Smith, Feeney and Chrisene who had already player senior football before they arrived.

Chukwuemeka was at Northampton School for Boys when he joined, and apparently we've had a few kids from there in our academy. They do really well at providing elite sports people, eg Courtney Lawes, considering they're a state school.

I think you have to add a bit of context there though, it's not a 'normal' state school, they're an official partner to saints and get most of their rugby coaching from the club, that makes sporting excellence a bit easier to achieve. It fact how that school runs is exactly what academies should be because the involvement of saints with them has helped everyone at the school. Probably going too far off topic there though but if Villa could formalise their links with local schools in a similar way I'd be all for it.

I agree.  If saints can link with one school, finances suggest villa could link up with at least ten across a wider area.  there’s the chance that it will create players but the greater opportunity is spreading the villa gospel to a wider audience.  Not to mention ESG bonus points.

One of my rugby triumphs was scoring the winning try against NSB.  Their team included Steve Thompson a world cup winner.

[MorrisNielson]

The Stiffs start their campaign this evening against Middlesbrough at Bodymoor. This seasons fixtures are:
Fri 5 Aug 2022 - H - Middlesbrough U21
Mon 15 Aug 2022 - A - Sunderland U21
Fri 19 Aug 2022 - H - Leeds United U21
Fri 9 Sep 2022 - H - Newcastle United U21 (at Villa Park)
Sun 18 Sep 2022 - A - Stoke City U21
Fri 30 Sep 2022 - H - West Bromwich Albion U21 (at Villa Park)
Fri 7 Oct 2022 - A - Southampton U21
Fri 21 Oct 2022 - H - Nottingham Forest U21
Mon 31 Oct 2022 - A - Derby County U21
Fri 4 Nov 2022 - H - Norwich City U21
Mon 9 Jan 2023 - A - Newcastle United U21
Mon 30 Jan 2023 - A - West Bromwich Albion U21
Fri 10 Feb 2023 - H - Stoke City U21
Mon 20 Feb 2023 - A - Leeds United U21
Fri 24 Feb 2023 - H - Sunderland U21 (at Villa Park)
Mon 6 Mar 2023 - A - Middlesbrough U21
Fri 17 Mar 2023 - H - Southampton U21
Fri 31 Mar 2023 - A - Norwich City U21
Fri 14 Apr 2023 - H - Derby County U21
Fri 21 Apr 2023 - A - Nottingham Forest U21
Note a reduction in teams from 14 to 11 (no SHA), also a change in category from U23 back to U21.

[MorrisNielson]

Will be interesting to note the squad today, we’ll see if any of the new arrivals go straight into the U21 side or whether they’ll start in the U18s. Also, we’ll assume Tim/Cam will be with the first team and won’t figure.
Some numberwang, last seasons player stats, note Abldeen-Goodridge, Appiah, Bridge, Chukwuemeka Jnr, Onodi, Reddin, Revan Snr, Thorndike, Zito have gone to pastures new.

[Mister E]

3-0 after 30 minutes.

[OCD]

I thought Gerrard said Davis would play?

[Legion]

Probably injured.

[OCD]

That's going some if he managed to get injured between now and Gerrard's press conference. Another possibility is that he's off on loan somewhere. There's a few that I thought would be involved who aren't.

[OCD]

3-2 now. Pissing a good lead away in true Villa fashion.

[Legion]

That's going some if he managed to get injured between now and Gerrard's press conference. Another possibility is that he's off on loan somewhere. There's a few that I thought would be involved who aren't.

Could be on the bench tomorrow.

[dave shelley]

3-3 now.  Three goals conceded in thirteen minutes.

[Dogtanian]

Remember we have Liverpool on Sunday, so Davis might be playing then.

[Brazilian Villain]

AJ has signed a contract extension and is off to Norwich on loan.
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/august/05/aaron-ramsey-pens-new-deal-and-heads-out-on-loan/