Aston Villa make new Aidan Borland announcement
Aidan Borland has emerged as an excellent talent in the Aston Villa academy following a superb season in Premier League 2.
Borland, 18, made his senior debut earlier this season against Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.
The young midfielder featured in every Premier League 2 game, missing out on a start in only two matches, looking to catch the eye of Unai Emery.
Borland wins Aston Villa’s Scholar of the Year
Borland has been honoured as Aston Villa’s 2024/25 Scholar of the Year at the Premier League Academy Awards.
He captained Villa’s under-18s side to a domestic treble, winning the FA Youth Cup, U18 Premier League South, and National titles.
The European stage didn’t scare him either, as he led the under-19s to the last 16 in their first UEFA Youth League campaign.
The Glasgow-born teenager joined from Celtic in 2023, and his performances have caught the eye of Villa boss Emery.
Borland accepted a two-year deal keeping him at Aston Villa in May, and he’ll be hoping to play alongside fellow Scot John McGinn next year.
Borland is among several starlets in Villa’s academy
Borland isn’t the only superstar Aston Villa will hope to give regular senior minutes next season.
Lamare Bogarde shone against Celtic in Villa’s Champions League campaign, also featuring eight times in the Premier League in 2024/2025.
Sil Swinkels will hope to prove himself at the back after going out on loan to Bristol Rovers in the second half of this season, starting 10 games.
Emery may look to the Dutchman as cover for Pau Torres, as he is also a left-footed centre-back.
Tottenham and Leicester are looking to swipe Louie Barry from Villa Park after an impressive loan spell at Stockport this year, with 12 goal involvements in 16 games in League One.
Barry was recalled early and sent to Hull in the Championship, but injury cut short any progression he was hoping to make, and he will want to break through at Villa Park if given the chance.
Jack Grealish, Jacob Ramsey, and Gary Cahill are all players who have made a name for themselves since graduating from the B4 academy.
Borland hopes to be the latest addition to the list.