Aston Villa Academy: Tyreik Wright development better off away from Villa Park
Aston Villa confirmed on Monday (9 January) that academy graduate Tyreik Wright has joined Plymouth Argyle permanently after several loan spells throughout the football league.
The 21-year-old has joined the League One leaders for an undisclosed fee after cutting short his loan spell at Valley Parade to seal the move. [BBC Sport, 9 January]
The winger has spent previous stints at Walsall, Salford City, Colchester United and most recently, Bradford City this season, where he scored four goals in 17 appearances.
Wright’s move is a huge dent in the Bantams’ promotion prospects, as the youngster has been one of the standout performers at Valley Parade this season.
For Aston Villa, it was due time they parted ways with the attacker, who has made a name for himself as one of the most dangerous and devious wingers in the football league.
Wright was unfortunately not going to make the grade at Villa Park, so it was a waste of his talent to keep him tied up through loan contracts. Allowing the former academy star to move on was a sensible move by Villa’s hierarchy and a decision that will work better for both parties in the long run.
Upon signing for the League One outfit, the 21-year-old told Argyle TV: “I’m absolutely buzzing with the move.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know the lads, to play in front of the fans, and show them what I’ve got.
“[At Villa], I was playing with great players, training with the first team. It’s Premier League standard, and it makes you a better player. They gave me a platform to go on in my career.
“My first few loans didn’t go the way I wanted them to, but that is all part of developing and learning. My most recent loan, at Bradford, has been my best one, and I was ready to take the next step in my career.”
Wright possesses that little sprinkle of magic that few lower-league wingers possess. The ability to take a defender on, but more so his end product, has impressed his suitors over the past 18 months. His pace, trickery and intelligence is simply a defender’s worst nightmare.
The exit of the Republic of Ireland youth level player highlights just how cut-throat Premier League academies are and that if you don’t make the grade, these huge clubs have no problem letting you go.
It was a brilliant opportunity for Wright to develop his game at one of the best academies in the country, and hopefully, the experiences learnt will leave him in good stead in the future.
In other Aston Villa news, Unai Emery must flip around his attack and deploy Leon Bailey on the left after the winger’s recent struggles.