Dean Smith Aston Villa
Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith has praised the crop of youth players who have stepped up to the first-team plate in recent weeks. Cameron Archer,Carney Chukwuemeka, and Jaden Philogene-Bidace have all taken the opportunity to impress in Villa ‘s Carabao Cup campaign this season. Despite being knocked out at the third round by Chelsea on Wednesday night, the three Villa youngsters have all made a positive impression at Bodymoor Heath for their performances against Thomas Tuchel’s side and Barrow in the previous round.
Dean Smith said: “I think it’s important for the whole academy that people can see that pathway. Shakey (Craig Shakespeare) spoke very well of Cameron Archer after and how he was given an opportunity to train with us and showed us what he was about. He took that opportunity with his training performance and he’s got minutes in games. He’s scored a hat-trick in our first round and obviously scored against the Champions League champions so it’s great for him. Also for the likes of Carney and Jaden too to get minutes on the football pitch. I know there were questions asked about the strength of our bench during the Carabao Cup game but Ezri Konsa has come onto the pitch, Jaden and Carney and they were players who were coming off the bench in games against Tottenham and Chelsea at the end of the Premier League campaign last season and not many questions were asked. We believe in these players, we believe they’re strong players and are going to be good Premier League players as well.”
Asked if he is keeping a close eye on Villa’s youngsters currently out on loan,
Dean Smith replied: “We’ve got Mile Jedinak and Adam (Henshall) who are keeping tabs and updating us every week by WhatsApp on the minutes they’re getting and how they’re settling in.”
