Del’s Big Chance

Gordon Cowans has said that he expects Nathan Delfouneso to make an impact in preseason with the Villa after sterling progress last term.

O’Neill was highly impressed with the youngster last season, and even ‘asked’ him to join the first time on some trips so he could taste the build up properly and was even handed a first team number.

Delfouneso has a great season in the title winning U18 squad and our reserves, and was one of the stars of the show in the Hong Kong International Sevens last weekend.

Cowans is now expecting big things from the youngster and wouldn’t be surprised if he tasted some first team action next year as part of his growth and progress.

Speaking on the official site, Cowans said:

‘We’re delighted that Nathan has been given a first team squad number this season. Whilst he’s yet to make the bench, it’s important for him to have been around the first team and it also shows another of our players is making the step up.

‘Nathan has to look at people like Gabby Agbonlahor who have taken their opportunity and his next stage will be to make the bench next season and then see what happens from there.’