A look at the standout youngsters at Villa, with Morgan Rogers making a huge impact under Unai Emery.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00Charlie, looking at Aston Villa and obviously it's no secret they've had a fantastic rise under Unai Emery.
00:06The way they've been in the Champions League as well has been fantastic to see.
00:10In terms of their squad in general, he obviously likes quite a small squad and likes to give chances to young players as well.
00:18Obviously the obvious, John Duran only 20, is making an unbelievable mark at Aston Villa.
00:26You've got Amadou Ounana only 23 as well, he's got a lot more to show.
00:30Clearly he's shown that at more of the top level where with Everton in that bottom half it was more scrappy
00:36and you don't get as much time on the ball for example.
00:38He's come into his forefront and then you have the obvious Morgan Rodgers who's been quite unbelievable really.
00:43A massive rise and the latest villain to go on and get an England appearance.
00:49Who stands out as the best youngster?
00:52I think two of the ones you mentioned have definitely got to be up there.
00:55John Duran, scoring goals for fun.
00:57I don't think I've ever seen someone with such raw talent in terms of striking the ball.
01:01His technique is remarkable.
01:03He just shoots from wherever he fancies.
01:06You know that tactic on Football Manager, you press the shoot on sight button?
01:10That is basically John Duran.
01:11The way he strikes that ball is incredible and he scores some beautiful goals.
01:15He doesn't tend to miss the target by much when he does miss and he can quite often pick out the top corner.
01:20What an entertaining player he is.
01:22Just imagine once Unai Emery crafts him a little bit more into the style of play,
01:26with his hold-up play, he could soon take over that striking position from Ollie Watkins.
01:30Which I don't think many people would have expected before the start of this season.
01:34Morgan Rodgers, as you mentioned as well, coming in from Middlesbrough last January.
01:39We thought maybe he might be a bit more of a bench option that could rotate in here and there in the cup competitions.
01:45But he absolutely blew everyone away within a week or two.
01:49He's been one of Emery's guaranteed starters so far this season, no matter what the competition is.
01:55A lot of people saying that he should be having a rest,
01:58considering he's best when he's powering against defenders and got a lot of energy.
02:02But he's so important that he hasn't really had that rest.
02:05So another one that's really broken through.
02:08Kostan Adelkovic, an 18-year-old right back.
02:11We've not seen much of him yet, but where Villa are quite light on the right-hand side of the fence,
02:16I think we will see a little bit more of him.
02:18He's a Serbian international already.
02:20We've seen the odd appearance in the cup competitions and then off the bench in the Champions League as well.
02:25Maybe lacking a little bit with his positional awareness, but that's to be expected with such a young player.
02:30But going forward, I'm very excited by what I see.
02:33He's powerful, he's quick and he can swing in a good cross as well.
02:37Matty Cash is in great form at the moment.
02:39Ezra Konza has been filling in at right back plenty,
02:42but then Adelkovic could potentially take over that baton at some point.
02:45And then Louis Barry, a quick mention for him.
02:4714 goals in League One so far this season on loan at Stockport County.
02:51Potentially could be recalled this January, but I don't see him being at Villa until maybe the summer.
02:56But one that could potentially break through following his Barcelona days.