The last time Aston Villa were in the Premier League for some reason (from memory) we failed to enter ourselves into the EFL Trophy competition after that was revamped to allow Category One Academy sides (Under 21s) to take part and gain additional competitive experience with a handful of matches against League One and Two sides.
With plenty of thoughts, complaints and views surrounding the changes to the old Johnstone’s Paint Pot, with our successful Play-Off promotion campaign last season we were back in the hat for the Trophy and we had a decision to make.
According to the EFL, we have now made the correct decision as we put a stronger focus on youth and development and our young lads will now have the chance to pit their wits against season professionals in 2019/20.
EFL Trophy invited Under 21 sides 2019-20
Arsenal
Aston Villa
Brighton & Hove Albion
Chelsea
Everton
Fulham
Leicester City
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Norwich City
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Compared to earlier years, the U21 stipulation for invited clubs is now in the rules as well so it has become more of a true U21/youth competition from our point of view, so I certainly welcome that.
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