Triston Rowe could earn Aston Villa debut as Matty Cash injury emerges ahead of Crystal Palace
Unai Emery could turn to 18-year-old Triston Rowe as the Spaniard looks for a full-back replacement ahead of Aston Villa against Crystal Palace on Sunday (18 May).
The full-back has experienced an incredibly quick rise at Bodymoor Heath this season, making just two Under-18 appearances before being promoted to Villa’s Under-21s side and becoming a mainstay in the squad.
With the senior team having already confirmed their Champions League qualification for the 2024/25 campaign, there is little to play for at Villa Park against Palace. Emery will be keen to finish the season on a high, however.
The manager has been handed several injury blows, though, which could offer a few youngsters an opportunity to earn their senior debuts, most of all Rowe.
Taking to X on Friday (17 May), Jacob Tanswell wrote: “Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Matty Cash are not available for Sunday.”
With Cash unavailable for the trip to Selhurst Park, Emery should consider rewarding Rowe with a full debut against the Eagles, especially due to his consistent performance for the U21s.
Unai Emery to trust Triston Rowe for Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
Of course, there is no reason why Ezri Konsa could not be shifted to right-back for the final game of the season. However, from recent matches, it is clear that the 26-year-old is much more needed at centre-back.
Emery has not been afraid to bring through the in-form youth players this season, with Omari Kellyman and Kaine Kesler-Hayden taking up spots on the bench recently.
While Rowe may not have much first-team experience, he has been incredibly consistent since moving up to the U21s, having cemented his spot in the team and has made 19 Premier League 2 appearances since.
With just one assist in those matches, it is clear that he will not have as much attacking threat as Cash usually does down the right flank, but his presence will allow more senior players to get forward instead.
In other Aston Villa news, Gary Neville has slammed Diego Carlos for a “shocker” of an incident in the draw with Liverpool
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