Omari Kellyman shows he is ready for Aston Villa first-team after debut assist
Omari Kellyman impressed on his full Aston Villa debut as Unai Emery’s side beat Hibernian to reach the Europa Conference League group stages.
The 17-year-old started at Villa Park just behind John Duran and registered an assist for Leon Bailey’s second goal, as a much-changed Villa side cruised past their Scottish Premiership opposition with a 3-0 win, to confirm their place in Europe for the season.
Kellyman had impressed Emery throughout pre-season, being included in the Spaniard’s squad for the pre-season trip to America, having joined the ranks at the Midlands club from Derby County in 2022.
The attacking midfielder was a force in the Premier League 2 last season managing five goal involvements in 10 appearances, an incredibly impressive record when you consider he is one of the younger players in the division.
The 17-year-old had been used in a first-team fixture against Bristol Rovers in a behind-closed-doors friendly last season, but the match against Hibs was his first genuine appearance under Emery and he will have certainly left an impression.
Having played the full 90 minutes, Kellyman’s inclusion demonstrated the advantage of Villa competing in Europe’s third competition, as the ties against weaker opposition will allow them the opportunity to blood young talent into the first team with less pressure.
More opportunities coming
With Aston Villa likely to lose Philippe Coutinho before the transfer window closes, the impressively quick rise of the 17-year-old midfielder will help Villa navigate the remainder of the current season without their most obvious attacking midfielder.
Aaron Ramsey’s departure to Burnley has left another space at the top of the midfield, while his brother Jacob Ramsey and Emi Buendia are both still out of action with injuries, leaving the perfect opportunity for Kellyman to begin his journey with the Villa first-team.
Some players need loan moves further down the English football pyramid to find their footing in senior football, whereas others can take to the top flight like ducks to water. With the transfer deadline closing in it seems as though Kellyman will fall into the second category.
Hopefully, he’ll get plenty more opportunities in the first-team in the coming weeks as Villa navigate their busy schedule and the fans will be able to see another exciting academy talent tearing teams apart at Villa Park.
The perfect chance for Kellyman to make his mark is open now, let’s see if he uses that.
In other Aston Villa news, two European clubs have made approaches for Phillips Coutinho