Aston Villa in danger of losing record-breaking sensation Louie Barry, Unai Emery doesn’t need him
Aston Villa have enjoyed a superb season so far under Unai Emery, with the manager working wonders at the Midlands club.
They currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, just two points behind leaders and defending champions Manchester City.
That is thanks to six wins from their nine matches so far, the latest of which was a 4-1 rout at home to West Ham on Sunday (22 October).
And one key man from that stunning victory was unsurprisingly striker Ollie Watkins, who scored a goal and assist, becoming the first player to hit five goals and five assists in Europe’s big five leagues this season [Squawka, 22 October].
But he wasn’t the only Villa striker to shine at the weekend, with on-loan sensation Louie Barry netting a brace for League Two club Stockport County.
The 20-year-old scored his eighth and ninth league goals of the season in a 3-2 win against Grimbsy Town on Saturday (21 October).
His stunning form this season involves a record-breaking run of seven goals in seven matches between 19 August and 30 September [Sky Sports, 23 October], with those feats undoubtedly impressing Villa manager Emery.
However, despite the youngster’s hugely impressive displays, there is no guarantee that he will line up for the Premier League club.
Emery has no need for Barry anytime soon, with Watkins having committed his long-term future to the club earlier this month.
And even when he is unavailable or indeed rested, 19-year-old Jhon Duran is able to fill in, with the teenager currently on four goals for the season despite his limited time on the pitch.
Villa should be trying to keep Barry at all costs, but the youngster could turn to the club’s former striker Cameron Archer, who left Villa Park in the summer to join Sheffield United.
As per the official Premier League website, Emery’s men (23) are now behind only Newcastle United (24) for goals scored this season, with finding the back of the net clearly not an issue for his side.
In other Aston Villa news, one 83% Villa star helped extend a sublime record during the recent international break.