Aston Villa Academy: Uncertain future awaits Kaine Kesler-Hayden after loan recall
Aston Villa have recalled right-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden from his loan spell with Championship side Huddersfield Town in a strange move from both parties.
Kesler-Hayden, 20, has made 15 appearances for the Terriers this campaign and has recently begun to find his feet as he was named in the Championship Team of the Month for December.
After initially being left on the sidelines for large periods of time by the Terriers’ manager Mark Fotheringham, the Villa academy graduate forced his way into proceedings partly due to defensive injuries in the first-team.
His stunning festive period included playing a part in six straight games, netting the winner against Preston on Boxing Day and providing a crucial assist just days later in the win against Rotherham.
What makes the announcement that bit strange is that both Aston Villa and Huddersfield have claimed it was their side who terminated the loan agreement.
Aston Villa stated that Kesler-Hayden had been recalled from his loan spell on Sunday (15 January) with the Championship outfit, which would, in turn, suggest that the youngster would play a part in proceedings under Unai Emery. [AVFC]
However, the official Terriers website fired back in a statement that read: “Huddersfield Town exercise option to end loan agreement in January 2023.”
Manager Fotheringham subsequently spoke out saying that both Matt Lowton and Ollie Turton would be returning to full fitness and, in turn, take the right-back berth in his starting XI.
Both these updates add to the confusion of the situation and what lies in store for the former MK Dons-loanee during the rest of this season.
After Emery added Alex Moreno to his full-back reserves in the January transfer window, it wouldn’t make sense to have Kesler-Hayden occupying the bench for the remainder of the season, so a second loan spell seems most likely.
Villa shouldn’t be short of potential suitors, and Academy Development Manager Mile Jedinak will have a tough task deciding which club can progress his development at the required rate.
The 20-year-old took huge strides under Fotheringham this term, so another fruitful loan spell will only further calls for his inclusion at Villa Park at the beginning of next season.
In other Aston Villa news, this one first-team player could quickly become a fan-favourite after his brilliant performance against Leeds in the Premier League.