Championship giants Aston Villa and Derby County didn’t think Ash Hunter was good enough – but he’s flying in League One with Fleetwood Town right now.
Ash Hunter is in the form of his life this season.
The Fleetwood Town forward has taken his game to another level since Joey Barton began his managerial career in England’s north west with his tally of eight assists in 15 League One games marking him out as one of the most in-form creative players in the third tier.
And after scoring 11 goals in all competitions last season too, clubs from higher up the Football League could do worse than to look at a player whose speed, directness and improving end-product mark him out as an attacker capable of thriving on a bigger stage.
Ironically, two clubs who released Hunter during his junior days now look like a potentially perfect destination – Aston Villa and Derby County.
The Rams have taken to signing players from the lower leagues of late, bringing in the prolific Peterborough United forward Jack Marriott while also landing Scunthorpe United attacker Duane Holmes.
So with Derby looking to cut costs, Hunter could be another low-cost addition with a potentially large re-sale value. He’d also fit the exciting, attacking brand of football espoused by Frank Lampard.
Aston Villa meanwhile now have a manager in Dean Smith who thrives when working with technically gifted young players. He turned lower league aces Ollie Watkins, Romaine Sawyers and co into some of the Championships best at Brentford and could have the same effect on Hunter.
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