Aston Villa will be hoping a number of their youngsters can break into the senior team in the near future.
In recent weeks, a number of Aston Villa youngsters have come forward to announce on their social media accounts that they will be departing the club at the end of the season.
Academy product Mitchell Clark was one of those players who recently announced on his personal Twitter account that he will be leaving the club after 12 years of service – a departure, just like many others, that surprised many fans.
But speaking to BBC Radio West Midlands Football Phone-In, Smith explained why he and the club came to the conclusion in allowing a number of youngsters to leave despite those players being popular with the Villa faithful.
“I think historically as a football club we have had players come through the system and done very well from it,” Smith told BBC Radio WM. “We have had a look at the U-23’s squad recently, a number of contracts have come up and we have released quite a few of them.
“I think you get to a stage where these players get to 21, 22 and 23 and you have to look at them and say, ‘Are they a top-six Championship player?’ ‘Are they going to be a top-six Championship player or Premier League player?’
“If not, we have to let them go on and pursue their careers and help them with their future pathways because you’re not helping them by keeping them around.”
Jack Grealish is arguably Aston Villa’s standout star and having come through the system, Smith will no doubt want to earth more gems of his quality. Winger Andre Green is another player in the senior team and striker Keinan Davis.
Added with that, in February, Smith gave 17-year-old midfielder Jacob Ramsey his debut during Villa’s 2-0 home defeat to West Brom.
That is further showcasing that Smith is willing to give the younger players a chance and given time he might be able to produce a couple of more Jack Grealish’s from the academy.
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