The Bees star impressed against the Villans last week.
Brentford midfielder Ryan Woods has revealed via Get West London that he could have been an Aston Villa player.
Woods impressed in last week’s 1-1 draw between the two teams, with the Birmingham Mail claiming afterwards that Villa fans “will have been taken aback by the flame-haired midfielder pulling the strings” for the Bees.
As it turns out, the Staffordshire-born 22-year-old says he could have been wearing the famous claret and blue instead.
“I actually did have a trial there (at Aston Villa) as a kid and I didn’t enjoy it so that’s when I went to Walsall and then Shrewsbury after that,” Woods admitted, as quoted by Get West London.
“I think it’s best you start at lower clubs and you work your way up because you get your chances and this is where I am today.
“I’m doing myself justice on the pitch. I’m trying to get better and people will see that through the season.”
Woods was affectionately known as the ‘Ginger Pirlo’ during his time at Shrewsbury, with whom he made his senior debut in 2013.
After two full seasons in the Shropshire side’s first team, the last of which saw him named in League Two’s PFA team of the year, the versatile youngster was signed by Brentford in a deal worth a reported £1 million.
And Woods has only missed one league game since, establishing himself as one of the Championship’s brightest prospects in the meantime.
His Brentford side, managed by former Walsall boss and Villa fan Dean Smith, are currently 12 places and six points better off than the Villans with eight games played.
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