View: Jaden Philogene-Bodace should have stayed to play for Aston Villa in 22/23
Aston Villa have allowed exciting young winger Jaden Philogene-Bodace to head out on loan for a second successive season to Cardiff City.
The deal was announced on 26 July with the 20-year-old also putting pen to paper on a new deal at Villa Park before heading to Wales for a season of Championship football.
He has already made appearances for the Villans last season and was among the senior squad for the pre-season tour of Australia but Steven Gerrard has decided to send him to Cardiff instead.
But when you look at the goal contributions he has made in his short senior career so far, you have to argue that maybe he could have stayed in the Midlands and been the X-Factor for Aston Villa.
His first professional goal came during the second half of last season where he played for Stoke City in the second tier of English football.
Coming in off the left flank, Philogene-Bodace got away from his marker to be on the end of a low cross and had the presence of mind to place his shot right in the corner before wheeling away in celebration at the Bet365 Stadium.
Perhaps more impressive than that though was his glorious assist for Cameron Archer’s hat-trick goal against Barrow in last season’s Carabao Cup.
His speed already had the full-back worried and as he headed for the byline, the Bluebirds’ defender lunged to stop what he thought was a cross but the smart footballing brain of the 20-year=old saw him chop back, leaving his opponent on his backside.
He then backed up that genius play with another touch of brilliance, reversing a pass through the eye of a needle and into the path of Archer who made no mistake from eight yards out.
Philogene-Bodace may not have been a guaranteed starter for Aston Villa but his constant energy would have been a useful weapon to have at Gerrard’s disposal.
In other Aston Villa news, Matty Cash is set to have competition at right-back as another Villa youngster looks set to stay and fight for his place.