“Shame” “Wow” “Lost My Head” - These Fans React To Friday’s Announcement From Villa

Following the end of another successful campaign for Aston Villa, the end of a season means decisions have to be made when it comes to the futures of those youngsters who are hoping to continue their development with us. Earlier today the club confirmed the retained and released list for the Academy.

Aston Villa can today confirm the retained and released list for our Academy.

The club would like to thank each of the players who are departing for their valuable contributions and wish them all the very best for the future.

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) June 4, 2021

Many Villa fans will know some of these names quite well following the very young squad we put out against Liverpool in the FA Cup earlier in the season, and of course, this group also includes our winning FA Youth Cup lads.

Nine players have been retained for the 2021/22 campaign – Mungo Bridge, Hayden Lindley, Filip Marschall, Akos Onodi, Arjan Raikhy, DJ Sturridge, Mamadou Sylla, Tyreik Wright and Brad Young.

Other members of the FA Youth Cup group and wider Academy players have also been retained as they were already under contract for the coming year.

It does mean we say goodbye to – Lewis Brunt, Brad Burton, Jack Clarke, Charlie Farr, Ben Guy, Callum Rowe, Harrison Sohna, Michael Tait and Jake Walker – and I’m sure everyone joins me in wishing each of them well for their futures.

For those who follow the youngsters, I imagine the surprising names to be released are Charlie Farr, Callum Rowe and Harrison Sohna in the main, so plenty will follow them with interest as we see where they all end up.

Shame could’ve seen some of them going Farr

— Watkins beside #SmithIn (@WatkinsIsOnside) June 4, 2021

Wow, a couple of players from the Liverpool FA Cup game being released. Good luck to them for the future.

— Dan (@cratesofhippos) June 4, 2021

No real surprises there

— Scottish Cafu 21 (@21_cafu) June 4, 2021

That surprised me, although I've only seen him in one game. He was excellent in the FA cup game against Liverpool

— Gregg Lowrie 🦁 (@Deotron) June 4, 2021

I thought the first bunch of names were released I almost lost my head then

— Laws (@LawsAVFC) June 4, 2021

Good luck to the lads who are leaving. It's not the end of the world and I hope they all go on to great things.

— Nanomatticles (@everysongsung) June 4, 2021

Good luck to the released lads, I’m sure you’ll get the chance to prove yourselves & have a successful career elsewhere

— Will Ross 🦁 (@TheWillRoss) June 4, 2021

Good luck to all those starting a new path away from Villa today. Your football journey isn’t over lads, and remember you’ll always be a part of Villa and Villa will always be a part of you. 💜💙

— Razor Sharpe (@RazorSharpe5) June 4, 2021

Best of luck to all of the ones leaving. Rowe's assist in the FA Cup in particular will be etched in a lot of Villa fans' memories for years to come. Hope they all go onto good things elsewhere. 💜 #UTV

— horses posting their L's online (@rad_nauseam) June 4, 2021