Five Aston Villa wonderkids to watch in 25/26 – Jimoh Aloba, Broggio and more
Aston Villa may look to utilise their best academy talent throughout the upcoming campaign.
It is fair to say that there has been a general lack of academy talent breaking through into the first-team set-up since Unai Emery came in.
This could be set to change in the upcoming season as the Villa Park club prepares to feature across four different competitions in B6.
With that in mind, a number of starlets could be set to make their presence known among the senior names in claret and blue moving forward.
Now, Villa News names five Aston Villa wonderkids to look out for in the 2025/26 season.
Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba – midfielder
It is fair to say that the 18-year-old is already well known among the Villa faithful after netting the winner against Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup final.
This brought a stunning campaign to an end, where the attack-minded midfielder also made three appearances for Emery’s side.
There will be hope for Jimoh-Aloba moving forward that he can break through and become more of a regular in the men’s squad for the B6 outfit.
The Englishman is a powerful runner, has excellent pace, and that makes him a superb ball carrier in a similar ilk to Morgan Rogers’ game.
Ben Broggio – Winger
In terms of local lads breaking through, there aren’t many more exciting than the Sutton Coldfield-born starlet.
Despite picking up an unfortunate injury last campaign, the impression left on Villa fans still remains very high with the new campaign in mind.
Given that the 18-year-old could prove to be one of the only out-and-out wingers in the entire squad at Villa Park, especially if Leon Bailey leaves, he could prove to be a positive option in the near future.
Triston Rowe – defender
Many Villa fans have been hopeful of a new right-back option being signed to represent fresh competition for Matty Cash.
Andres Garcia hasn’t quite done that since signing from Levante, but there is every chance that Rowe could in the upcoming campaign.
The 19-year-old is athletic and is more than capable going forward, despite being generally strong defensively as a full-back.
More minutes in senior football is only going to represent a boost for his prospects in claret and blue, something that could be in the pipeline under Emery in the near future.
Aidan Borland – midfielder
There is no shortage of talent in the academy at Bodymoor Heath, but it is the young Scot who leads as captain.
This is a testament to his ability in the middle of the park to act as a general and show true leadership, which many think is beyond his years.
It is fair to say that he comes across in a similar vein as fellow countryman John McGinn in terms of his role as skipper and in terms of play style.
The 18-year-old is one who has already made his first-team debut, and more minutes will surely be in the pipeline for the central midfielder.
Leon Routh – defender
There is quality throughout the side in B6, but it is fair to say that there is a chance for a young defender to potentially step up to the plate.
This could see Routh be given a chance moving forward, especially when Tyrone Mings is in need of rest or any other fitness problems take hold in the Midlands.
The centre-back has been colossal for the Villans’ academy sides, and there is every chance that he could replicate that with valuable senior minutes.
At 17, the defender already has excellent physical attributes, something which could serve him well in his mission to become a regular in claret and blue.
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