Lamare Bogarde

[PeterWithe]

I'll admit to not really seeing anything in Bogarde to get excited about before yesterday, he was magnificent and my MOM. He just looked so assured in possession, pressproof.

[PeterWithe]

From the Guardian.

Bogarde has Villa fans on their feet
It is a staple of junior football and if there was a Most Improved Player prize at Aston Villa it would surely go to Lamare Bogarde. The 21-year-old, who signed from Feyenoord at 16, was given a standing ovation upon being substituted in the victory at home to Burnley, a week on from Unai Emery leading the applause when Bogarde was withdrawn late on in the win against Fulham. Emery admires Bogarde’s versatility but it was at the base of midfield where the Dutchman, who has started Villa’s past two league matches and featured in eight of Villa’s 10 games in all competitions, looks most at home. He was Villa’s most-fouled player against Burnley, a statistic indicative of his involvement, but perhaps more tellingly he completed 97% of his attempted passes (56 out of 58). Villa’s rise has meant academy youngsters have had few opportunities but Bogarde is proving increasingly instrumental. Ben Fisher

 Match report: Aston Villa 2-1 Burnley

[PeterWithesShin]

Hopefully he won't smile too often like our last utility player did.

[Rigadon]

He looked good yesterday, but it seemed to me that he was invisible, with the Burnley press appearing to miss he was on the pitch a few times, when he just turned and ran through 2 players who were 5 years apart! 

Could be a genuine break through year for him.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

From the Guardian.

He was Villa’s most-fouled player against Burnley, a statistic indicative of his involvement, but perhaps more tellingly he completed 97% of his attempted passes (56 out of 58). Villa’s rise has meant academy youngsters have had few opportunities but Bogarde is proving increasingly instrumental.

Those are ridiculous stats. As for our youngsters breaking through, again I'm a firm believer that rather than group them all together in a pointless League Cup game, we give individuals a chance to play in the real first team. Unai deserves praise for sticking with him even if he was only there by chance due to injuries.

Is there anybody else who deserves a chance?