Todd Alcock can be Aston Villa midfield general for years to come after academy success
Over the years, Aston Villa have their fair share of midfield generals and academy star Todd Alcock could be the newest name to take up this role after breaking through the ranks at Bodymoor Heath.
The 18-year-old has proven himself a steady and dependable outlet for the Young Lions in the middle of the park, making the step up from the Under-18s to the Under-21s look like a formality this season.
Alcock, who is a homegrown talent, signed a scholarship with Aston Villa in July 2021, and ever since then has never looked back.
Having played in a holding midfield role for the youth side’s so far this season but also showing his ability to play in a more advanced position, Alcock has proven he has many strings to his bow during his 12 appearances so far this term.
Over the course of his 629 minutes of action, the Villa academy star has a pass accuracy of 83% and has won 32 tackles. [AVFC]
What makes Alcock stand out from the crowd is the midfielder’s ball retention skills and his ability to dictate the pace of play with his passing. He might not have any 10/10 qualities to his game, but the youngster’s ability to sniff out danger in the middle of the park has been evident for the academy staff to see.
After starting the season with the Under-18s, Alcock has subsequently made himself an indispensable figure in Tony Carss’ side’s charge for Premier League 2 promotion, which has seen them rise to fifth in the table with just three games of the season remaining.
Although a loan move somewhere in the football league could be in the offing next season, Alcock is one to watch from the academy over the coming months and years.
Players such as Gareth Barry have risen the ranks of the academy in the past and ended up playing a huge role for the Aston Villa first-team, and Alcock looks to be the newest player to emerge from the club’s conveyor belt of talent.
In other Aston Villa news, the club has been tipped to sign a new striker to aid their bid to return to European football.