Tommi O'Reilly in action for Crewe, with Grant McCann in a circular inset

Aston Villa's Tommi O'Reilly is set to join Doncaster Rovers on loanImago

Sources: Doncaster Rovers agree deal to sign Aston Villa rising star Tommi O'Reilly

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Published on:

25 Aug 2026, 11:08 am

Doncaster Rovers are set to sign Aston Villa sensation Tommi O'Reilly on a season-long loan deal, sources have told Football Insider.

The League One outfit have agreed terms with Aston Villa and with the 22-year-old, who has been keen to go out on loan in search of increased playing time.

A plethora of clubs across the Football League have been interested in signing the midfielder who racked up over 20 goal contributions on loan at Crewe last season.

His performances in League Two have convinced clubs higher up the EFL that he is ready for the step up, and Doncaster have moved ahead of their rivals in their pursuit.

Aston Villa still have high hopes for O'Reilly's development after his impressive loan spells and are keen to see him continue his progress on loan in League One.

The attacking midfielder's contract at Aston Villa is set to run until 2028 as things stand, with the club set to keep a close eye on his development after agreeing to his loan exit.

Why have Aston Villa let Tommi O'Reilly go on loan?

Football Insider exclusively revealed back in March that Aston Villa were set to send O'Reilly on loan, with a number of Championship clubs showing an interest.

The midfielder, who can also play out wide and did so often for Crewe last season, racked up seven goals and 14 assists in 50 appearances across all competitions.

Those performances inspired interest from a number of clubs across the EFL, with Doncaster having now convinced him of a move to League One and agreed terms with Villa.

Despite being highly regarded at Villa Park, the plan has always been for him to go out on loan again this summer, as he was left out of Unai Emery's pre-season plans.

He did, however, score for Villa's Under-21s side in their EFL Trophy clash against League One outfit Wigan, in a show of what he could do on loan at Doncaster in the coming year.

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Which other clubs were interested in signing O'Reilly?

Doncaster have had to move quickly to beat a number of rivals, not just in League One but also in the Championship, to O'Reilly's signature this summer.

The majority of clubs in League One have been keen to land a deal, while they faced competition from Championship clubs who have been impressed by his displays.

Football Insider revealed in April that Portsmouth and Oxford United were both keen on signing O'Reilly and were set to battle it out for his signature this summer.

His reliability and quality has been recognised after he was handed the Player of the Season award by his teammates at Crewe last season, placing him on the radar of top sides.

Doncaster, however, are able to offer the youngster regular first-team football in League One and believe he will be a key part of Grant McCann's squad going forward.

Tommi O'Reilly