Loan Watch: How Aston Villa's Loanees Have Fared So Far

A number of players departed Aston Villa this summer on loan, but how have their performances been so far this season?

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An array of talent left Aston Villa on loan this summer, ranging in age. These players weren’t expected to get enough, if any, game time in the Premier League this season, and so were spread through the football pyramid to gain valuable experience and playing time in a different set-up.

It’s now been over a month since the return of club football, but with the International Break in full swing, we thought we’d take a look at how some of the current loaned-out crop are getting on in pastures new.

Callum O’Hare (Coventry City)

Considered the most promising of those loaned out, 21-year-old Callum O’Hare is currently on loan at Coventry City and playing just across the city at the St. Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium due to their groundshare with Birmingham City.

He’s played in 245 minutes of football across the EFL Trophy, Carabao Cup and Sky Bet League One, facing the likes of Blackpool, Walsall, Oxford United, Gillingham and Watford.

He’s been used sparingly in the league, usually grabbing 25 or so minutes at the end of the game – but has grabbed two goals against Oxford and most recently this weekend against Blackpool to ensure Coventry grabbed all three points in a 3-2 win.

Interestingly, he’s drawn 10 fouls so far – showcasing a similar dribbling ability to the player he is so often likened to – Jack Grealish.

Appearances: 1 (4)

James Bree (Luton Town)

James Bree enjoyed a decent pre-season at Aston Villa – but nobody was shocked when he was loaned out to Luton Town on Deadline Day.

Bree has enjoyed almost double the amount of football that O’Hare has, starring in 460 minutes of game time so far in the Sky Bet Championship and Carabao Cup – in games against Cardiff (twice), Barnsley, Ipswich, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday.

He’s been played in three different positions for the Kenilworth Road outfit, appearing at right-back, left-back and right centre-back. In one of his three appearances at left-back, he bagged an assist.

Bree has managed to make 29 interceptions and 16 clearances in six appearances for Luton.

Appearances: 4 (2)

Andre Green (Preston North End)

Andre Green is yet to play a full 90 minutes for Preston North End, either in the League or the Cup.

He’s played a similar amount of football to Callum O’Hare, registering 252 minutes across the Sky Bet Championship and Carabao Cup so far this season.

Green managed a goal in a 4-0 demolition of Bradford City in the cup, but has been relatively limp in other performances against Millwall, Swansea City, Hull and Nottingham Forest.

The winger impressed with his dribbling at Villa last season – but has only been successful seven times in 18 attempts so far. He’s also still struggling with crossing, registering a 22% cross accuracy.

Appearances: 3 (2)

Scott Hogan (Stoke City)

Scott Hogan is another one who is yet to play a full 90 minutes – notching up 277 minutes in his time so far at struggling Stoke City.

His longest time on the pitch came in a 2-2 draw against Derby County, where the Republic of Ireland international bagged a brace. He played for 86 minutes.

Other than that, Hogan’s impact for the Potters has been limited, appearing a total of six times in games against Derby, Leeds, Charlton, Preston, Wigan and Birmingham City.

Despite his appearances, Hogan has only managed five shots this season – with two on target – both of which were goals. Granted, one was a penalty though.

Appearances: 3 (3)

Matija Sarkic (Livingston)

Montenegrin youth international Matija Sarkic has been relying on the cup for his appearances for Scottish outfit Livingston this season.

He’s made three appearances so far for Livingston in the Scottish League Cup – getting 270 minutes of football under his belt.

Managing one clean sheet, and conceding two goals in his other appearances, Sarkic has impressed but evidently not enough to warrant a start in the league.

He was a penalty shoot-out hero on two occasions for Livingston so far this season – and has still never lost a shoot-out in his career.

Appearances: 3

Jake Doyle-Hayes (Cheltenham Town)

Jake Doyle-Hayes has enjoyed the most football out of any of Aston Villa’s loanees, with over 586 minutes in his locker already this season. This is good for the youngster and a far cry from his lack of game-time at Cambridge United last season.

Played mainly as a left central-midfielder, he has also made appearances in defensive midfield and as a right central-midfielder too.

He’s found game time against Bristol Rovers in the Carabao Cup, and Crawley, Scunthorpe, Carlisle, Swindon and Morecambe in the Sky Bet League Two.

Whilst he’s struggled for assists and goals, the midfielder has shown his worth as an enforcer – committing 10 fouls, but managing 30 interceptions and 13 clearances so far.

Appearances: 6

Rushian Hepburn-Murphy (Tranmere Rovers)

Rushian Hepburn-Murphy hasn’t played all that much for Tranmere Rovers (hence the lack of a picture of him in their kit) – but made headlines on his debut for ‘slam-dunking’ a Rochdale player to the ground in defence of his teammate, before being sent off.

He’s managed four limp appearances from the bench, culminating in 102 minutes of football, in which he’s managed two shots – neither of which were on target.

It looks like Aston Villa’s youngest ever Premier League player may never live up to the hype if he doesn’t start improving at Tranmere.

Appearances: 0 (4)