Tim Iroegbunam has ‘what it takes’ to start for Aston Villa as Boubacar Kamara update emerges
Aston Villa have already found their replacement for Boubacar Kamara as Tim Iroegbunam has “got what it takes” to start for Unai Emery’s side this season, according to Alan Hutton.
Emery’s side suffered another huge injury blow with David Ornstein confirming on Monday (12 February) that Kamara will remain sidelined for the remainder of the Premier League season having suffered a knee ligament injury during the defeat to Manchester United.
This comes soon after Villa allowed Leander Dendoncker to depart Villa Park for the remainder of the season, with the Belgian joining Serie A Champions Napoli on an initial loan deal, with a £7.7million option to buy clause included in the deal [Fabrizio Romano, 24 January].
Hutton does think that Emery has left himself slightly short of midfield cover but has admitted that he thinks Iroegbunam has the manager’s trust and is ready to step up and play an important role for the remainder of the season.
“He’s brought him on in the last few games and I think that comes down to trust,” Hutton told Villa News.
“He sees him day in and day out and he knows what he’s capable of. It doesn’t matter what age you are, if you’re good enough, you’re listening to the manager and doing tactically what he wants then he will pick you.
“I like seeing that, I like seeing a pathway for young players to come through and make the first team, but it’s down to him. You’ve been given an opportunity, you need to grasp it with both hands.
“As we spoke about recruitment, the way that they’re going at this moment in time, they’re progressing upwardly so it’s only going to get harder.
“But I think he’s got what it takes.”
Tim Iroegbunam ready to replace Boubacar Kamara at Aston Villa
Kamara’s injury has come at a bad time for Emery and Villa as they look to overcome a period of poor form and get their Champions League push back on track. There aren’t loads of midfield options waiting in the wings ready to replace him.
While both Youri Tielemans and John McGinn are capable of dropping deeper and filling the void left by the Frenchman at the base of midfield, Emery may risk using Iroegbunam having begun to blood him into proceedings this season.
The 20-year-old has made two cameos in the Premier League this season and has been a regular fixture on Villa’s bench. If he is as ready as Hutton has suggested, he is more than deserving of a regular shot at the first team.
In other Aston Villa news, Hutton thinks Jacob Ramsey may face a “difficult” battle to play regularly after Leon Bailey’s contract extension
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