Steve Bruce has given youth a chance at Aston Villa, but talented left-back Oscar Borg is yet to make a single appearance since Bruce came to the club.
With Neil Taylor given a three-match ban for a reckless challenge in the closing stages of Aston Villa’s recent 1-0 win against Bolton Wanderers, Villa manager Bruce was suffering from a selection headache as they prepared to travel to in-form Midlands rivals Wolves on Saturday afternoon.
The Welsh international, after all, is Villa’s only senior left back following the summer sales of Jordan Amavi and Aly Cissokho. Bruce, then, had to think outside the box against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
In the end, Bruce turned to experienced right-back Alan Hutton, shifting him from one flank to another. And his decision was at least partially vindicated.
Villa were well below their best as Wolves cantered to a 2-0 win that flattered the visitors, but Bruce’s decision to include Hutton in an unfamiliar role at least gave supporters some reason for optimism.
The Scot was arguably Villa’s best player at Molineux, making a number of crucial last-ditch challenges to ensure the scoreline retained an element of respectability.
What now for Borg?
While Bruce’s decision to include Hutton in Taylor’s absence proved a good one, you wonder how young Oscar Borg felt about the team selection.
The 20-year-old left-back, compared to Gareth Bale in his youth, is one of the most highly rated youngsters in a talented Villa academy side. And while the veteran tactician was always unlikely to throw an untested 20-year-old into a vital away game to arguably the most impressive side in the Championship, Borg may be wondering how he is going to get his main chance.
Borg was also left out of an EFL Cup clash with Wigan earlier in the season, with natural right-back Mitchell Clark chosen to start on the left instead. Bruce has shown a willingness to give youth a chance this season – Keinan Davis, Andre Green and Callum O’Hare all impressing, but Borg remains conspicuous by his absence.
An impressive Hutton display means the situation it likely to continue.
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