Aston Villa fans may be waiting patiently for another first team addition ahead of this Saturday’s Premier League opener against Watford, but we are still forging ahead at Academy level as three players have this afternoon signed their first professional deals.
More good news from Bodymoor Heath after it has been confirmed that Sil Swinkels, Oliwier Zych and Aaron O’Reilly have all signed their first professional contracts with the club! Congraulations boys! #AVFC pic.twitter.com/IGHeAL5v3k
— The Villa Academy (@academyavfc) August 10, 2021
Having impressed in recent times, the trio of Sil Swinkels, Oliwier Zych and Aaron O’Reilly have now penned their first pro contracts and will be looking to further their development in the 2021/22 campaign and maybe work their way into head coach Dean Smith’s plans for maybe next pre-season.
17-year-old defender, Swinkels, only joined us last summer from Vitesse Arnhem, and he had a good year, playing his part in helping the club to our FA Youth Cup success over Liverpool. He was also one of our talented youngsters who got an early FA Cup debut in the third round of the FA Cup – again against Liverpool.
Fellow 17-year-old Zych, plays between the sticks and he kept a clean sheet during our FA Youth Cup run in his only appearance in the competition. Fans may well remember he was on the bench for Final, as well as the senior Liverpool clash.
Having joined us from Zaglebie Lubin in 2019, the Polish youth international continues to impress our coaches as he works his way up through the levels.
Finally, 17-year-old O’Reilly, joined us last summer from St Patrick’s Athletic and he’s represented his country at youth age group level. The defender may well be a known name for those who follow the U18’s and U23’s, as that’s where he featured last season.
Onwards and upwards for all.
congratulations lads
— catrin (@catrinavfc) August 10, 2021
👏
— Hassan Elkhafagi AVFC (@HassanElkhafagi) August 10, 2021
Swinkels 😍
— Ashton (@BuendiaSZN) August 10, 2021
The 2026/27 season is gonna be mental
— Alex Byrne (@ajbyrne_avfc) August 10, 2021
Love to see it
— Garin (@GW_94) August 10, 2021
Astonvilla will replace one team in the top 4 @premierleague
— PK 💙 (@karanjahpn) August 10, 2021
Swinkels will be an absolute star
— morg (@astonmorgan_) August 10, 2021
Good news. I haven't seen all of them play but, from what I've seen of him, Swinkels looks like he has a lot of promise. Proper unit for 17 too.
— Quimph (@quimph) August 10, 2021
Massive congratulations to Sil Swinkles, Oliwier Zych & Aaron O’Reilly. 👏👏
— Peter Wall (@1966wall) August 10, 2021
Definitely not a Sil-ly decision! Hope to see all these guys Zych-ing for first team spots soon. O'Reilly hope they do well!
— horses posting their L's online (@rad_nauseam) August 10, 2021
