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The Finish Line Comes Into Sight, So How Are Villa’s Loanees Shaping Up

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Following the arrival of our new owners, Aston Villa have heavily invested in our Academy set up at the club and with a proper plan now in place, the January transfer window saw us further build on getting youngsters experience as we sent even more out on loan.

So for now, here’s who’s where and how they are getting on.

Jack Clarke was the first out and he headed to Yeovil Town for a season long spell in the National League. The 21-year-old midfielder made his full debut for The Glovers back on October 3 as they got their league campaign underway and he made two starts with one substitute showing. With a lack of game time, he was recalled in January and he headed back out to fellow National League side Chesterfield and he’s yet to make his debut for them.

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 19-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.

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 five appearances in the Scottish League Cup, along with 13 stats in the Scottish Championship.

Technically, Mbwana Samatta headed out on loan to Turkish side Fenerbahce, but with an obligated buy clause in place, I won’t give updates for him as he will no doubt have a decent year in the Super Lig.

Prior to the closure of the summer window, we also saw Cameron Archer head out locally and he went to Solihull Moors on a deal that expired on January 3. He made his substitute bow in their opener against Woking as he came on as a 59th minute substitute and he made his full debut in the following game against Wrexham. During the spell he made 12 appearances in total, returning five goals across all competitions.

The Moors have now extended this deal until the end of the campaign.

The last departure of the summer was Lewis Brunt, who 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.

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

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, and he’s now featured three times for them.

Dominic Revan was the next youngster to head out for game time, and he travelled to another National League side, this time Weymouth. He now has four starting appearances to his name.

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.

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 has now made three appearances with back to back goals in his last two games.

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’s yet to debut since making the move.

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 is featuring for them, but I can’t find actual game stats.

And I think that’s the lot.

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