Young Lions Watch: The Aston Villa starlets to watch out for as they take on Leamington
Aston Villa take on National League North outfit Leamington in their next pre-season friendly, with young stars being given a platform to shine.
The Young Lions have won one and lost one in pre-season, battering Chasetown but slipping to a narrow defeat against Hednesford.
Villa’s defeat to Hednesford saw them blow a three-goal lead, so Tony Carss will be seeking a response as they take on Leamington despite the better opposition.
They will be short of one of their stars, with striker Louie Barry joining League One outfit MK Dons on loan earlier this week.
However, they have been boosted by a few notable omissions from Villa’s preseason squad, including senior winger Anwar El Ghazi.
Watch out for the stars
Of those stars left out of the Australia tour, Carney Chukwuemeka’s absence was the most dramatic.
Steven Gerrard confirmed that the young midfielder had been left at home due to his ongoing contract dispute and interest from Barcelona.
That could see him playing with the U21s at the Co-op Community Stadium, but the breakout star of preseason so far has been his older brother.
Caleb Chukwuemeka, who has already turned 20, bagged a hat-trick against Chasetown and scored Villa’s second against Hednesford, waking people up to his talents.
Many had written him off after a failed loan spell at Scottish outfit Livingston last season, but now there is a bit of hope surrounding him again.
Villa’s final omission from their Australia squad that is set to feature on Saturday is defender Sebastian Revan.
Despite playing and impressing in Villa’s opening friendly with Walsall, Gerrard chose to leave him in England and take Ben Chrisene instead.
Brad Young also needs to kick on this summer after a difficult 2021/22 season for the striker.
He spent the first half of the season on loan at League Two strugglers Carlisle United, but failed to score a single league goal in 14 appearances and was recalled in January.
The victory over Chasetown saw him start but fail to impress during his 45 minutes on the pitch before he was replaced by Caleb Chukwuemeka.
If Young wants to prove he can do it against senior opposition, then he can start by impressing against Leamington.
In other Aston Villa news, former hero Alan Hutton has tipped Villa to make more signings this summer.