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Aston Villa roll the dice with loan departure of academy graduate Kaine Kesler-Hayden
Aston Villa have confirmed the departure of academy graduate Kaine Kesler-Hayden to Plymouth Argyle on a loan move for next season – a gamble that raises questions about the makeup of Unai Emery’s first team next season.
The England youth international is set to join up with Steven Schumacher in the Championship next season, his fourth loan spell away from Villa Park.
The defender signed for Huddersfield Town last season, but his successful loan was bizarrely cut short in the January transfer window as the Terriers faced an impending fight against Championship relegation.
And after six months of playing with the Aston Villa Under-21s at Bodymoor Heath, the 20-year-old is set to head back out into the EFL, with his pathway to Emery’s first team seemingly hitting yet another roadblock.
The sanctioning of Kesler-Hayden’s loan raises questions about the make-up of Unai Emery’s first-team squad next season, with Matty Cash the club’s only right back with pre-season just around the corner.
After the club confirmed that Ashley Young would not have his contract extended in the West Midlands, it now hints that Emery will dip into the transfer market for more competition in the right-back berth.
Both Ezri Konsa and Calum Chambers have the ability to slide across from centre-back to the right side of defence when called upon, but considering the extra European commitments that Villa will face next season, reinforcements are desperately needed.
Such a move from Emery will come as a frustration to Kesler-Hayden, considering the string of successful loan spells he has undertaken over the last couple of years, with Sky Sports journalist Dan Bardell likening the full-back’s attacking style of play to Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.
This move to Plymouth Argyle could be the last chance for the young Englishman to prove his worth to the club in the long run.
Miss out and his Aston Villa future could be brought into the limelight.
In other Aston Villa news, big-name signings are now on the cards after a behind-the-scenes arrival at Villa Park.