Aston Villa: Dan Bardell names two players to receive first-team promotion as Villa Park loan exit confirmed
We’re delighted to welcome Sky Sports journalist Dan Bardell as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Aston Villa youngsters Tim Iroegbunam and Tommi O’Reilly are likely to receive more first-team opportunities following the loan exit of Leander Dendoncker to Napoli, according to Dan Bardell.
Villa confirmed on their website on 25 January that the Belgian international had joined the Serie A champions on loan until the end of the season.
The 28-year-old midfielder, who joined the Villans from Wolves in 2022, made 15 appearances at Villa Park this season before making the switch to Italy.
Bardell believes 20-year-old duo Iroegbunam and O’Reilly will now step up to fill the gap left in the first team by Dendoncker as the club are unlikely to bring in another midfielder this month.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “I think in a league game if they had injuries, McGinn would cover central midfield.
“But Tim Iroegbunam, I was told that he wasn’t going to get loaned out even if Dendoncker stayed, so he absolutely won’t get loaned out now, and Tommi O’Reilly has just signed a new contract.
“As fourth, fifth central midfielders, Villa aren’t going to go and spend money on anyone that’s not an improvement on what they’ve already got.
“Tim Iroegbunam and Tommi O’Reilly will step up and give themselves more of a shot at getting minutes.”
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