SPotlight - Academy
Like so many other fanbases no doubt many want to see their Academy team play and see the players, but the chances are low these days. It’s make’s the games you can attend even more special. At Aston Villa we have such a special set up including the team from last season. In the past our Development was so key to our First team with players coming through and giving us so many memories. Being a big part of our History or going on to play football with other teams. Players such as Elisha N’Dow and Jodie Hutton are still apart of the Aston Villa squad at the moment.
Players from the new crop we have already seen success story’s with Olivia McLoughlin and Freya Gregory being a big part of our survival in the FAWSL last season. And players this season such as Laura Blindkilde coming into the first team and cementing her place with great performances as well as Missy Goodwin who has gone on to make her FAWSL debut at Leicester City Women.
Kerri Welsh is now the Manager of the team who are once again having a great season as they sit top of the Table in the League and also have a Semi Final against Manchester United with a final being set up against Birmingham City in the final.
I’ve been asked a few times about names and such coming up through the Academy so I’ve picked out 5 players to watch out for this season. The whole squad are fantastic in honesty but it would take too much time to name them all. But these are players I’ve seen that I think will have a big future that haven’t yet had any First Team experience.
Molly Lemon
Molly is a player to watch out for. The Midfielder is fantastic on and off the ball and battles in the middle of the pitch. I first saw Molly play for MK Don’s when they played Stoke City and was so happy to see she had joined Aston Villa’s Academy. She’s got the skills and the moves as seen on TikTok. But a real grafter with flare. Definatly nothing sour about this Lemon.
Liv Milner
I am new to seeing Liv Milner play but she was fantastic from what I saw against Manchester City. A real diamond at Centre Back, but not only reads the games and defends the goal well but has so much vision from the back her passing was linking defence to attack within one ball. So calm and always feel she is in control. Not only that but you can always see Liv down the First Team games as well a real student of the game.
Kelcie Fallon
Kelcie is a player that have seen a few times and really impresses. You can almost know that Kelcie will be in the correct position ready to close down off the ball and looks to link the play from the middle with precise passing and real control. A player I feel with a big personality that matches her presence on the pitch also. Defiantly one who would make a step up one day soon.
Georgia Mullet
So in truth I believe I have only seen Georgia, known as G play once but I was so impressed with the work rate and her talent. At Villa we lack a big strong Centre Forward but Georgia ticks all the boxes. But as well as being a target player she also looks to find space and get the ball into the danger area. Was top notch against Manchester City.
Alice Keitley
So this is a player that I saw play for Wolverhampton Wanderers, 2 years ago and would always want to go back and see play. Really fantastic with the ball at her feet, pacey and skillful with an eye for goal. Alice has been so unlucky with Injury but has made her way back into the fold and will no doubt be a big player in the remaining of this season and the next.
As I mentioned before there are so many good, young and exciting players in our squad that we really do have one of the best Academy team’s in England and no doubt in the World.
With the Semi Final coming up on Wednesday against Manchester United we can only wish our team all the luck we can and say we are behind you all the way. And we are so proud that they all play for our team in the Claret and Blue and wear the Villa Badge.
In the Supporters Group we love covering our fantastic Academy Team whenever it is possible too. Hopefully in the future we can keep doing this as our players shine on a weekly basis under the guidance of Kerri Welsh.
One last thing left to say is…
UP THE VILLA!!….