2020/21 Comes To A Close, The Final Loan Round Up Of The Season

After a long rollercoaster of a campaign, Aston Villa’s 2020/21 Premier League season has long come to an end and a solid eleventh placed finish was the significant progress we were all hoping for, having survived by the skin of our teeth last season.

Our Under 23’s had a good campaign as well, finishing ninth in the Premier League 2 Division Two table following all the changes and upheaval at that level, and most recently our Under 18’s got their hands back on the FA Youth Cup for the first time since 2002, taking a largely comfortable victory over Liverpool.

With a good season at all levels, we can’t forget we had a raft of young hopeful talent out on loan as they boosted their experience to help their development, so with the leagues decided for 2021/22, here’s the final loan round up of the season before we all start again.

Jack Clarke was the first out and the 22-uear-old midfielder headed firstly to Yeovil Town, making two starting appearances, with one substitute showing. With a lack of game time in January he switched out to Chesterfield, having a far more successful spell. With them, he made 12 starts with a further eight showings from the bench and returned two goals.

Indiana Vassilev was the next out and he went to locals Burton Albion also on a season long loan. Having long kicked off their League One campaign, the young striker began to build on his six senior substitute showings for us, adding eight starts and four substitute appearances to his name. Following a change of manager the 20-year-old American was recalled, and instead headed out to League Two side Cheltenham Town. He made his debut as a substitute at the end of January, and ended the campaign with 12 substitute appearances to his name.

Young goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo was the next to go and he went north for a season long spell with Scottish Championship side Ayr United. Their campaign also began in October and the 19-year-old Finnish youngster has made seven appearances in the Scottish League Cup and FA Cup, along with 22 starts in the Scottish Championship. He kept nine clean sheets across those games.

He would’ve made a few more appearances, but injury ended his season early. He certainly impressed their fans though – Click Here for more.

Technically, Mbwana Samatta headed out on loan to Turkish side Fenerbahce, but with an obligated buy clause in place (Click Here for more), I haven’t followed his progress closely. Given the season is now over, he made 14 starts, 13 substitute showings and he returned five goals.

Cameron Archer headed out locally and he went to Solihull Moors on a deal that expired on January 3. Having impressed in his half season spell, The Moors extended the deal in the New Year for the remainder of the campaign. In total I believe he made 12 starting appearances, with a further 16 showings from the bench – chipping in with five goals.

Lewis Brunt returned to Gloucester City on a three month spell (he was with them in the second half of last season). The 19-year-old agreed the move whilst recovering from an injury, so he didn’t join up with them until the end of October. I believe he made his debut at the end of November against Farsley Celtic, and he racked up seven starts and one substitute appearance. He opened his goalscoring account against Leamington but he also returned early to us following injury.

19-year-old Tyreik Wright joined the list in January as he headed to Walsall for the remainder of the year. He made his full debut for them in their 3-1 victory over Port Vale and ended the campaign with a total of 13 starts and three substitute showings.

Lovre Kalinic’s loan spell back with former club Hadjuk Split had been known for a while, but he had to wait until mid-January for the start of their season. In total, he made 14 appearances for the side.

Dominic Revan was the next youngster to head out for game time, and he travelled to another National League side, this time Weymouth. He ended his first spell out with 16 starting appearances to his name, and his spell was also cut short with injury.

He won plenty of fans and praise though – Click Here for more.

Callum Rowe was the next out and he too has a chance for National League North football with Hereford. I believe he made his full debut in their FA Trophy fourth round tie with Stamford and given their limited season, he had two confirmed appearances to his name – but with their campaign being null and void, details are sparse.

Conor Hourihane wanted game time, and he got it with a temporary switch to Swansea. Having made his debut for them against Nottingham Forest, he tasted Play-Off promotion disappointment, making 22 starting appearances, with two showings from the bench, and he ended with five goals to his name.

Fred Guilbert was a late switch out and he headed back to Ligue 1 to spend the second half of the year with Strasbourg. He made a total of 13 stars, grabbing his solo goal against Monaco.

And finally, it seems fellow youngster Ben Guy had headed out for a spell with Northern Ireland side Portadown back in October but I’d missed it. He did feature for them, but I can’t find actual game stats.

And that’s definitely the lot for 2020/21 – now we see which youngsters stay with a view to kicking on further, we see what we do to strengthen the first team group and with decent success at Under 23 and Under 18 levels this year, which other youngsters will we get out next term to see what they are capable of?