Jonty Banks

Tue 28 March 2023 14:10, UK

Caleb Chukwuemeka’s time at Aston Villa looks like it is drawing to a premature end after a barren run of form while on loan at Crawley Town this season.

Since his move to the League Two outfit last summer on a loan-to-buy deal, the youngster has failed to find the back of the net once.

And with his contract at Villa Park expiring in June, the Birmingham Mail (March 25) has shared that Chukwuemeka is expected to leave the club this summer.

The report stated that as many as 13 academy players are awaiting a clearer picture of their Aston Villa futures, with meetings set to be held next week with staff to determine each individual case.

It is a shame that the 21-year-old has failed to kick on while out in the English Football League, with the striker having previously lit up the Bodymoor Heath scene with a trail of goals.

After securing his transfer from Northampton Town to the West Midlands in April 2021, Chukwuemeka made an instant impression, netting seven goals and assisting eight more from just 12 games for the Young Lions.

The attacker was highly regarded within the Villa ranks and was awarded his first-team bow when he came on as a substitute for his brother Carney – who sealed a marquee £20million to Chelsea last summer – in the 6-0 EFL Cup rout over Barrow last season.

However, since then, things haven’t quite clicked for Chukwuemeka, and at 21, it is now or never in regard to a future with Unai Emery’s first team.

The harsh realities of the football league seem to have struck the Austrian-born youngster after making a mere eight appearances for Crawley Town this campaign, and a fresh start might be best for his career moving forward.

Aston Villa must continue to be ruthless with their Bodymoor Heath academy if they wish to continue producing first-team level players, and unfortunately, Chukwuemeka hasn’t quite cut the grade.

In other Aston Villa news, Dan Bardell has predicted that a “clinical” transfer this summer can fire Aston Villa into Europe.