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Aston Villa make January exit decision on Tim Iroegbunam as transfer news emerges
Aston Villa youngster Tim Iroegbunam has now surely learned his fate at Villa Park as news emerges regarding a possible exit in the January transfer window.
According to Birmingham Live journalist, John Townley (16 November) writing in his Q&A article, Iroegbunam will likely leave in the winter window, whether that’s a loan or a permanent with a buy-back a decision will yet be made.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Queens Park Rangers last season, featuring in 32 Championship games scoring two goals and there is the belief at Aston Villa that there will be no shortage of interest in his services once the window opens.
Townley wrote: “Iroegbunam will likely leave in January, whether that’s a loan or a permanent with a buy-back we’ll have to see. There will be no shortage of interest in the midfielder after his bright season at QPR.”
Iroegbunam was involved in the matchday squad in the 3-1 win over Luton Town on 29th October and featured for the under-21s in the Football League trophy against Crawley Town in a 3-2 defeat (7 November) making a major impression.
As per SofaScore, the young English talent was sensational off the ball, winning a whopping 16 duels in his 90 minutes of action, recorded 73 touches, successfully completed 75% of his passes, recorded two key passes, successfully completed four dribbles and won eight fouls in an eventful and dominant display.
Iroegbunam registered 2.8 tackles and interceptions [SofaScore] per game over the course of the of last season with QPR 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.
However, it certainly seems as if his development will be best served away from Villa Park which isn’t surprising given the club’s decision to sell other academy gems Cameron Archer, Jaden Philogene and Aaron Ramsey over the summer, but with buy-back clauses inserted in the deal.
The Villa Park door won’t be completely shut on the talented teenager who could yet prove he’s capable enough to make the first-team grade in the West Midlands but his injury has proved a major dampener on those hopes.
The QPR loan was his only real 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 which another loan in the Championship could certainly provide him.
With a decision now made on his immediate future at the club, what Aston Villa now must ensure is that his next destination is the best route for him and his development.
It’s a shame for fans to see some of their most prestigious talents leave the club but they’ll be expecting them to return at some point and Iroegbunam is among the top of that list.
In other Aston Villa news, Emery must stick with one Villa Park midfield maestro v Spurs on 26 November after his recent international masterclass.