Aston Villa news: Jacob Ramsey tipped for axe amid ‘massive’ Gerrard claim – pundit
Aston Villa breakthrough star Jacob Ramsey may be “feeling the pinch” of Premier League football and could be rested against Southampton, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed Emiliano Buendia could replace the 19-year-old in the starting eleven.
Ramsey has started each of Aston Villa’s last 11 league games, scoring four and assisting once during that run.
As per WhoScored, the midfielder has played the third-most Premier League minutes of any player under-21 this season (1613) – behind only Tino Livramento (1815) and Bukayo Saka (1831).
Aston Villa face clashes against Southampton (5 March) and Leeds United (10 March) in the next week.
Whelan claimed manager Steven Gerrard will be “massively aware” of the potential need to hand the youngster a rest.
“He’s really burst onto the scene and claimed that spot,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He has brought goals, assists into that midfield – and he’s quite a powerful player. That’s what you’ve got to look at. He drives with the ball and gives you loads of energy.
“I think sometimes as a younger player coming through after being in that youth setup – you can feel the pinch of the Premier League.
“He’s played a lot of games in the past couple of months, and that requires a lot of intensity. Sometimes it can catch up with you – physically and mentally.
“I think Steven Gerrard will be massively aware of those dangers having come through at a very young age himself.
“A small rest period would be a massive call, but may well be good for the young man, and with the likes of Buendia on the bench – they’ve got a really good amount of depth to replace him.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire salutes Aston Villa after record-breaking £184m reveal.