Latest Villa Loan Move Confuses Some Villa Fans But Makes Perfect Sense To Me

Whilst most of us were enjoying our Friday evening, Aston Villa confirmed more good news on a loan front and announced that Academy graduate Indiana Vassilev had secured himself a second spell out from the club this season and he would now be heading to League Two and Cheltenham Town.

In the first half of the 2020/21 campaign, the 19-year-old United States born striker found himself near and dear at League One side Burton Albion, where he made eight starting appearances, along with four substitute showings. Whether he fell out of favour owing to his lack of experience as pressure mounted on manager Jack Buxton or he had an injury I’m unaware of, he fell out of the team as November came to an end and new manager Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink only gave him four minutes with a solitary appearance in January after taking charge.

Good luck, Indi! 👊

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 29, 2021

Whilst not great, his performances were far from a disaster though and Whoscored, have him featuring in five different positions, so that certainly wouldn’t have helped.

Stepping down another level at Cheltenham should hopefully see him kick on again, and once he gets that first goal and a boost of confidence, fingers crossed it’ll be the first of many. For a change, I’m surprised at some of the reactions on social media to the move as he now has to prove he can do it in proper level football, not the sanitised Under 23 setup and he certainly isn’t ready for our first team yet.

Should of kept him as Barry cover

— owen 🦜 (@ffsowen) January 29, 2021

And? You don’t bring a player back from senior football to cover in the U23s 😂

You bring through an u18

— Tom Cowley (@TomC2312_AVFC) January 29, 2021

Sat down had a cup of tea then left again 😭

— football.edits.99 (@footballedits91) January 29, 2021

We Bring him back to cover Louis Barry injury but then loan him back out again?

— Chris Secker (@holte24) January 29, 2021

Yesterday lol

— kieranAVFC (@avfck1eran) January 29, 2021

Best of luck Indy!! ⚪🔴#ctfc 💜💙#AVFC

— Amy Dunne 🇮🇪🦁💜💙💪🏼 (@amydunne_2001) January 29, 2021

He’s been on loan at burton and was ended due to playing time.

— mr butty (@mrgarethbutler) January 29, 2021

Not too complicated: wasn't getting played at Burton, so recalled him and sent him out somewhere he should get game time.

— One very important thought… (@LunarDevices) January 29, 2021

He heads to Whaddon Road until the end of the season and will be looking to play his part in their promotion push given they currently sit in fourth place in the fourth tier.

Good luck Indi!