Aston Villa Squad for USA Premier League Summer Series
Aston Villa has announced its squad for the Premier League Summer Series as they depart for their summer camp in the USA. Over the next few weeks, Villa will be stationed on the East Coast, where they are scheduled to play Newcastle United in Philadelphia on Sunday, July 23, Fulham in Orlando on Wednesday, July 26, and Brentford in Maryland on Sunday, July 30.
Aston Villa’s squad for the USA is:
Emi Martínez, Robin Olsen, Filip Marschall, Matty Cash, Calum Chambers, Tyrone Mings, Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Seb Revan, Lucas Digne, Boubacar Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Sanson, Leander Dendoncker, Jaden Philogene, Kadan Young, Emi Buendía, Aaron Ramsey, John McGinn, Philippe Coutinho, Leon Bailey, Cameron Archer, Omari Kellyman, Ollie Watkins.
Cameron Archer’s Big Opportunity
With only Watkins, Archer and Bailey listed as forward options, do Villa look light up front?
First off, it’s a clear indication that Jhon Duran will be potentially heading out on loan for the season. The Columbian striker is still only 19-years-old, which is often a forgotten factor. Villa must feel at this stage of his career, he currently needs regular game time to develop further.
So, step forward Mr Cameron Archer.
If the 21-year-old striker is the real deal, then he has an excellent opportunity this preseason to stake a claim. He’s at the right age to impress and he must now build on the achievements of his loan spells in the Championship and U21’s.
In terms of Archer’s prospects at Villa, the situation couldn’t be more ideal. If Duran goes out on loan and Watkins remains the only recognized striker, there will be little competition for Archer at the club. Moreover, he will have five preseason games against top-level opponents to impress Unai Emery, including the three matches in the United States followed by games against Valencia and Lazio.
Archer has a pathway to become at least Watkins’ understudy while also gaining significant playing time in a claret and blue shirt due to Villa’s involvement in the Europa Conference League.
Opportunity is knocking, and it’s up to Archer to seize it.
Missing Bertrand Traoré
Meanwhile, it looks like the end of the road for Bertrand Traoré, who hasn’t been named in the squad. Last season he made some valuable cameo contributions for the club to help them qualify for the Europa Conference League, after being called back from his loan in Turkey. However, it appears that Emery does not consider him part of his future plans.
Villa’s Youth Equation
Another notable omission from the squad is Tim Iroegbunam. Given Villa’s midfield depth, it is highly likely that he will be loaned out next season. Additionally, his exclusion could be attributed to his status as a product of West Brom’s academy, which means he does not qualify as one of the four club-trained players required in Villa’s quota of eight homegrown players for the Europa Conference League squad of 25 players. As an U21 player, he ideally would not need to be included in the initial list A of players submitted to UEFA.
Emery still needs to decide on the four club-trained players for the list A of the European squad. Cameron Archer and Jacob Ramsey appear to be two obvious choices. Goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo was a potential option, but he has recently joined Exeter City on a season-long loan. Therefore, for the young players traveling to the USA, there is an opportunity to be recognised as a first-team squad member if they impress, even if it is only for registration purposes.
UTV
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