According to Ashley Preece, Carney Chukwuemeka and Jaden Philogene-Bidace are set to play big parts at Aston Villa next season, but we can’t help but feel that Louie Barry deserves a shot.
Speaking on Claret & Blue, an Aston Villa podcast, the journalist claimed that the pair are set to be ‘heavily involved’ next term, but there has been no indication that Barry is set to be given a chance.
Now, we’re not saying that Chukwuemeka or Philogene-Bidace don’t deserve a chance, they’re both exceptional young players, with Chukwuemeka being touted as a potential Jack Grealish replacement.
Barry deserves a shot
Regardless of how good Chukwuemeka and Philogene-Bidace have been, it’s hard to make an argument that either of them have been more impressive than Barry.
Barry looks like a player who is destined for the very top. He was formerly on Barcelona’s books, and you don’t catch their eye unless you’re a special player, and he’s already proven he can compete with the top players in England, netting a brilliant goal against Liverpool in the FA Cup earlier this season.
Villa’s U18 side is fantastic, and Chukwuemeka certainly deserves his shot, but it’s hard to see where he fits in, especially with Villa’s midfield being stacked full of talent at the moment.
However, Barry has a clear route into the first-team.
Solving Villa’s striker problem
Villa aren’t blessed with a plethora of strikers, hence why Ollie Watkins had to start 37 league games this term, and while the likes of Wesley and Keinan Davis are decent backups, they’re not reliable, with Wesley having long-term injury issues and Davis blowing hot and cold whenever he plays.
Barry could realistically be Villa’s third-choice striker next term, and even limited opportunities in the first-team would give him a great platform for further development.
There’s a reason Ian Wright described Barry as ‘amazingly clinical’ after his performance against Liverpool, and with Villa struggling for depth in the striker spot, he has to be considered for an increased role next term.
If Chukwuemeka is being considered after his incredible season for the U18s, Barry has to be in the same conversation.
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