Aston Villa finalise new forward deal after terms agreed at Villa Park
Unai Emery is looking to the future with Aston Villa after overseeing a period of success with the West Midlands club.
The Villans are sitting eighth in the Premier League this term and remain in both the Champions League and the FA Cup meaning there is plenty still to play for this term.
However, the key for Emery and Villa is to keep up these standards and be able to bring a new, more positive era to Aston Villa.
Aston Villa pen deal with youngster
With Villa looking forward, the club have announced (14 February) the signing of Vinnie Hayward on his first professional contract.
The youngster has progressed through Villa’s youth set-up and clearly impressed in Claret and Blue so far which has led to him penning a deal with the club.
Throughout his time with Villa so far, he has played above his age group suggesting his development is certainly moving in a positive direction.
Furthermore, academy manager Mark Harrison described him as a “technical player” which will make him an exciting prospect for Emery.
With Premier League PSR restrictions staying as they are for now, Villa will also be glad to have a young star on their hands who could prove to be a vital asset in seasons to come whether that be on or off the pitch.
Unai Emery set for exciting time with Aston Villa
Supporters at Villa Park are very pleased with the job that their manager has done since his arrival in the West Midlands and he has certainly guided the club back towards the position where they feel they should be.
Things have changed in the striker department for Emery of late though as he has gone from being spoilt for choice between Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran to suddenly having neither available.
Duran was allowed to leave and join Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro-League for a fee of nearly £65million and this was seen as a sensible mood to take a massive fee for someone who was not a regular starter for his side.
However, with Watkins then going on to pick up an injury, Villa have been left with few options at the top end of the pitch.
Goals from Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers against Tottenham in their FA Cup win showed that the West Midlands outfit do have the talent in their side to fill any gaps but they will have to keep this up in order to push Villa forward until they have Watkins back available.
For Hayward, looking at Emery’s management of the younger players must provide him with a sense of excitement over what the future could hold at his club.
Duran was selected and played Champions League football regularly despite being just 21-years-old showing the manager will pick players that are good enough, rather than worrying about experience.
However, when you look at players like Louie Barry who clearly have promise, he has been able to go out on loan spells and develop his trade playing first-team football in the hope of making him ready for first-team football with his parent club soon too.
There is a way off until the youngster will be impressing in the top flight but it is an exciting time for the forward who will be keen to pull on the shirt for Emery one day.