Tommi O’Reilly finally ready for step up at Aston Villa after first-team debut v Zrinjski
Aston Villa academy star Tommi O’Reilly proved he is finally ready for the step up to senior football after making his first-team debut in the 1-1 Europa Conference League draw with Zrinjski.
Branded “little Foden” by academy coaches [The Athletic], O’Reilly is a name that has been on the lips of those around Villa since his breakthrough year in 2022.
After the 20-year-old signed his first professional contract in March 2022, academy manager Mark Harrison spoke of his potential involvement in the first team as he had already trained and been featured in squads [BBC Sport].
Given that he had featured in matchday squads against Brighton and Southampton before signing his first professional deal in 2022, it is somewhat of a surprise that it took him until now to make his first appearance, but he has finally proved he deserved the step up.
This season, O’Reilly has picked up two goals and six assists in seven Premier League 2 appearances, as well as a goal and assist in the EFL Trophy where he has faced senior teams.
Games against League Two sides Crawley Town and Sutton United, as well as League One outfit Charlton Athletic, helped to prepare him for the step up before his first-team debut came against Zrinjski.
In his 11 minutes on the pitch in that Conference League clash, O’Reilly touched the ball five times and completed three passes [Sofascore], looking to find space between the lines to receive on the turn and cause problems for the defence.
He offers a different option to Villa’s other attack-minded midfielders like Nicolo Zaniolo, Youri Tielemans and even fellow academy graduate Jacob Ramsey, as he looks to take the ball into feet and get on the turn before looking for the pass or run.
The comparison to Manchester City and England star Phil Foden may be a long way off as things stand, but his style of play, slight frame and impact on the academy sideshow that, if he can make the step up to the first-team, Foden is who he will aim to replicate.
In other Aston Villa news, one player finally proved Unai Emery right in his 100% display.