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Follow us on Twitter @claretandview // Words by Jake Evans (@jakeevans_11)
After a convincing 3-1 derby victory over West Bromwich Albion in the PL2 the other night, hopes are high amongst the Villa fanbase that we might be about to field some quality young players in the next few years, to follow in the footsteps of Gabby Agbonlahor, Andre Green and Jack Grealish. Here is the lowdown on the boys that I believe to be our 5 best young stars.
5. Majita Sarkic
Signed by Tim Sherwood in the summer of 2015 to replace Benjamin Siegrist, the shot-stopper has proved that he has natural talent between the sticks. He made a fantastic penalty save in the 3-1 derby win to keep the nerves intact, and is widely regarded as a great prospect for the future.
Where can he go?
I can see Sarkic playing second fiddle at a mid-table Premier League club at his current rate of development- but if he puts in some good hard work, there is no reason he can’t be the backbone of a team pushing for Europa League qualification.
4. Keinan Davis
Davis doesn’t have a great deal of natural talent, but it is clear that he is a grafter and that is why he is seen as a striker who could do a job in the first team this season.
Where can he go?
With his lack of quality I can’t see Davis cutting it at the top of the Premier League, but with hard work comes great progress and if he continues to put in the miles then I predict him to be playing for a team at the bottom of the Premier League or the top end of the Championship in five yearstime.
3. Jake Doyle-Hayes
Hayes is a central midfielder who was really impressive in pre-season. He is still very young, but he was pivotal against Duisburg with his tackling and tracking- as well as his range of passing. He ran the midfield that day, and if he can improve his physique and become a bit more powerful, then we could have a brand new Mile Jedinak sitting in our academy.
Where can he go?
I rate Jake Hayes. I genuinely think that in ten years, he will be playing football for- at the very least- a Europa League team. He has all of the qualities to become a superb player- he just needs to put it all together.
2. Callum O’Hare
We witnessed glimpses of what O’Hare can do in pre-season, the Carabao Cup tie v Colchester and in his cameo against Cardiff. He has fantastic technical ability, great vision and clearly enjoys playing for Villa. It is unfortunate that with Grealish and Kodjia coming back from injury, O’Hare might lose his place in the first team, because he certainly deserves to be there.
Where can he go?
I think that O’Hare will be capable of playing Europa League football within five years, and Champions League football after ten years. If you don’t believe me- just watch him play.
1. Rushian Hepburn-Murphy
Where to start? After making his debut two years ago against Sunderland (coming on as a second half sub for Benteke), the now 18 year old was seen as the next big thing. However, a culmination of injuries and a drop in form have left first team chances few and far between for Hepburn-Murphy. His natural talent, however, still remains and id ge can improve physically to ensure that defenders can no longer continue bullying him, then who knows his good he could be?!
Where can he go?
Honestly… nobody really knows.
