Tim Iroegbunam nears return to first-team action, Unai Emery may sanction another loan to rediscover burgeoning Aston Villa talent
Aston Villa sensation Tim Iroegbunam is nearing a return to first-team action at Villa Park but it may be best for his long-term growth and readiness if Unai Emery sanctions another loan in January.
Emery issued a positive update on the 20-year-old at the end of September but he does seem to be some way away from returning to action after picking up an injury in pre-season.
The Spaniard revealed that the Englishman had returned to Bodymoor Heath and was training with the first team and injury expert Dr Rajpal Brar told Villa News (12 October) that it is encouraging news for the youngster and Aston Villa after his latest setback.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at QPR last season, making an impressive 32 appearances and netting two important goals against Blackburn and Watford in the relegation run-in.
He made 2.8 tackles and interceptions [SofaScore] per game over the course of the season while chipping in with the two goals from the middle of the park as the England U20 international continued to display his superb defensive instincts.
John McGinn (2.6) and Jacob Ramsey (2.7) both made a similar number of tackles and interceptions per match for Villa in the Premier League during that period, which shows that the young gem is producing solid numbers in that department.
It was only his first experience of playing senior football on a regular basis and he was able to stand up to the physical test of the second tier with a ground duel success rate of 50% to go along with his multiple interventions each game.
However, with Emery favouring a progressive possession game now at Villa Park, Iroegbunam could use some fine-tuning in that department.
According to the Opta-powered stats on FBREF, Iroegbunam was in the 9th percentile of midfielders in Europe’s next eight leagues beneath the major top flights for passes attempted – recording a disappointing average of just 34.01 per 90 minutes.
As well as this, the teenager was in the 7th percentile for total passing distance (420.18 yards per 90) and the bottom 10% of his counterparts for progressive passing distance (107.70 yards per 90).
It’s certainly pleasing news that the youngster has returned to first-team training at Bodymoor Heath but it seems as if he is some way away from featuring under the Spaniard.
In order for him to be up to speed again, Emery may well have to sanction a loan move away for the teenager to develop even further. Iroegbunam indeed impressed at QPR but that doesn’t mean he’s ready to be an Aston Villa regular.
Another year in the Championship will be ideal in order for him to rediscover his burgeoning talents.
Ideally, should Emery want him to be capable of featuring in his midfield for the future, a loan move to a progressive and possession-based Championship side, with the guarantees of regular minutes for the second half of this campaign at least, must be sanctioned.
In other Aston Villa news, a Villa youngster could be rewarded with a new long-term deal at Villa Park following his “exceptional” progress.