Credit: Imago

James Barker

Sun 5 April 2026 7:10, UK

Jamaldeeen Jimoh-Aloba didn’t play well for West Brom against Wrexham on Good Friday, as the Aston Villa youngster continues to struggle at The Hawthorns.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder is very highly-regarded at Villa Park, evidenced by his six first-team appearances for Aston Villa already.

An England youth international, the teenager made headlines across Europe when he netted the winner for Villa in their 3-2 win over RB Salzburg in the Europa League back in late January.

However, it was evidently felt as though he’s still not quite ready for a larger role in B6 just yet, and as such, a loan move to Midlands rivals West Brom was commissioned in the winter window.

Unfortunately though, his loan move hasn’t quite worked out just yet, and with seven games of Villa’s Premier League season to go, he will have to do plenty more with Albion to win a place in Unai Emery‘s thoughts for 2026-27.

How did Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba play in West Brom vs Wrexham?

Jimoh-Aloba is tipped for big things with Aston Villa, and there remains a confidence around Villa Park that this is exactly what he’ll go on and do.

Indeed, not every young player instantly takes to senior football, with some requiring more time than others to get up to speed and come to the boil.

As such, there certainly won’t be any panic back in B6 over his slow start in B71, but even so, the watching Villans eyes would have liked to see a little bit more from the youngster so far.

That’s especially the case from his performance against Wrexham on Good Friday, where he really struggled to impact the game at all, before being replaced after 72 minutes.

West Brom drew the game 2-2 after surrendering a two-goal lead to the Red Dragons, and Jimoh-Aloba couldn’t come up with anything to leave his mark on the match.

As per Sofascore, Jimoh-Aloba completed just 60 per cent of his passes accurately against Wrexham, whilst also taking a mere 19 touches and conceding possession 12 times.

He also registered just one shot on goal, which was off target, carried the ball a mere three times, won only one of his six ground duels and none of his two aerial duels respectively.

The youngster played zero key passes, took four unsuccessful touches, made one recovery and was dribbled past once too.

Villa could have big Jimoh-Aloba conundrum in pre-season

In 10 appearances for West Brom since joining them on loan, Jimoh-Aloba has failed to find the net, but has provided one assist.

Therefore, he’s sure to need a big final few weeks of Albion’s Championship season if he’s to put himself into Villa’s first-team plans ahead of the summer.

Having said that, the Villans have seen firsthand the size of his talent and potential with that aforementioned Europa League winner, and may feel he could actually improve faster by staying at Villa Park next season.

Whatever the case, Aston Villa can and should take their time and be patient with him, as there’s no need to try and force anything with him at this stage of his career.