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Dominic Revan has returned from his loan spell after suffering a broken jaw. What’s next for the youngster?
Words: Matthew Cotter | @MattCotter_
After suffering a broken jaw in Weymouth’s 2-1 defeat to league leaders Torquay United, Villa’s young centre-half will return home and continue his return to fitness at Bodymoor Heath.
Shortly after captaining Villa in their FA Cup tie against Liverpool in January, Dominic Revan, just 20 years old, was snapped up by The Terras for the remainder of the season.
In what was his first real taste of senior-level Football, Revan made a strong impression on his south-coast teammates. Playing 17 times since joining, Revan helped solidify a struggling defence. During his loan spell, Revan helped The Terras to five clean sheets and at Weymouth’s Bob Lucas Stadium Revan and co. conceded only 4 times in the 8 times he played there.
Upon news of his departure, Weymouth Head Coach Brian Stock made clear his disappointment of Revan’s premature exit.
On the defender’s performance, Stock spoke highly, highlighting ‘the consistency he brought to the team’. Furthermore, Stock made it known ‘it’s no coincidence that our results improved’ upon his arrival in January. Likewise, Weymouth’s fans took to Twitter to express their gratitude to Revan’s performances during his short time down south.
Broken jaw aside, it seems the 20-year-old had an extremely successful experience in his first spell away from Villa.
So, what’s next for the Villa youngster?
Well, he’s confirmed to many that his physical performance against the stars of Liverpool was no fluke. He has successfully made his first step in the transition into the men’s game.
Considering his injury, it is unlikely that we will see Revan on the field until the commencement of the 2021/2022 season. Being only 3 years younger than Villa’s current centre-half Ezri Konsa, it is clear that what Revan needs is regular first-team senior football.
His opportunity at Weymouth would have served him well and would have likely provided him with the experience to once again adventure out on loan next season.
With Villa’s current centre-back core being undeniably unrattled, it would be in Revan’s best interest to get as many minutes elsewhere as possible.
Whether we ever see Revan in a Villa first-team shirt, or whether he goes the way of recent Academy graduates such as Rushian Hepburn-Murphy or Callum O’Hare is down to him. What is prevalent from his time at Weymouth is that another season lingering in the U23’s side would only be detrimental to his career.
League 2 may be one to keep an eye out for next season if Smith and Co. let the youngster test his trade once more in the lower leagues.
