Free-scoring centre-back Donhue Mitchell is in with a shout of joining Premier League outfit Aston Villa, Pheonix Academy president Craig Butler tells the Jamaica Observer.
Back in August 2021, Aston Villa’s U19s took on Pheonix Academy a friendly clash. And, after finding themselves on the wrong end of a 7-4 scoreline, the Villa coaches returned to Bodymoor Heath seemingly with one name on their lips.
19-year-old Mitchell, one of the best young prospects to emerge out of Jamaica for some time, will soon be heading back to England. The teenager will reportedly undergo a three-week trail in the Midlands and, should be impress, a man who caught the eye against Aston Villa’s reserves a couple of years back could soon be lining up alongside them.
“I think it is a wonderful opportunity,” says Butler, not only Pheonix’s preside but also the step-father and agent of Aston Villa forward Leon Bailey.
“I am truly grateful to God for providing this opportunity. For Aston Villa for actually looking at our players and taking them on.
“They saw him when we played against them, when we beat their Under-19s 7-4.”
Aston Villa could sign Jamaican talent Donhue Mitchell
Mitchell is a centre-half by trade but possesses a goal-scoring streak most ‘number nines’ would be proud of. He netted a remarkable 20 goals in all competitions last term.
“To score 20 goals as a central defender, that really takes a lot of work,” Butler adds.
“(Aston Villa) really love the player. It is a rare find when you have a central defender that has the knack of going forward scoring goals. (As well as) the resilience of getting back and defending at the same time.
“He is looking forward to it. With the English Premier League, you don’t get much higher than that. For him to be able to represent us at the highest level means a great deal to us.”
Aston Villa pride themselves upon snapping up some of the most exciting young talent around; Ben Chrisene, Lamare Bogarde, Louis Barry and Tim Iroegbunam among those who have joined the claret-and-blue club in recent times.
Mitchell, meanwhile, is not the only Phoenix Academy starlet who could earn himself a move to the Premier League. Striker Dujuan Richards is also on trial at Newcastle United.
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