Aston Villa starlets tipped for major roles after source reveals January clearout and who could go – Whelan
Aston Villa youngsters such as Jacob Ramsey and Cameron Archer can make their mark if Steven Gerrard orchestrates a January clearout at the club, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted it is time to “open up the youthful pathway” at the Midlands club.
This site exclusively revealed yesterday (29 November) that Aston Villa will listen to offers for Bertrand Traore, Anwar El Ghazi and Trezeguet in January.
Whelan suggested that Gerrard will be looking to replace any January departures internally.
“They’ve got a lot of good, young players coming through,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“Jacob Ramsey and Cameron Archer are the types of players who can really step up this season.
“Gerrard has had enough time to figure out who he likes, who he doesn’t, and what he’s going to get out of certain players – and that is the same when every manager comes in, there will be a turnover of players.
“It doesn’t surprise me; he’s got quite a big squad now – and it could be time to really open up that youthful pathway at Villa by letting a couple of those players continue their careers elsewhere.
“They’ve got a great academy setup at the club and Gerrard will be aware of that. After all, that’s how he came through at Liverpool.”
Ramsey has started eight league games for Aston Villa this season, scoring once.
Archer has netted four goals in two senior cup matches this term.
In other news, Aston Villa tipped to use special relationship to lure “sensational footballer” Joe Gomez in January.