Steven Gerrard used the lack of Premier League football for Aston Villa over Easter to run the rule on a host of youngsters, including Ben Chrisene, in a behind closed doors friendly.
That’s according to Birmingham Live, who report the Villans fielded a mix of youth talents and first-team stars against Brentford’s B-Team on Friday. The Villa Park outfit ran out 5-1 winners, with Gerrard keen to get a head start on his planning for their pre-season period.
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He wants to blend his senior fold with young up-and-comers wanting to earn their shot in Birmingham next season. Villa are also likely to undergo a mass refresh in the senior ranks as Gerrard sets out to stamp his mark on the squad that Dean Smith predominately built.
Gerrard believes Aston Villa need a major overhaul with hungry senior stars and youthful talents chomping at the bit. The aim is to establish an overall group that will challenge for success throughout the Premier League season, plus in the FA Cup and EFL Cup next term.
Chrisene is one of Aston Villa’s talents to feature against Brentford’s B-Team with Bertrand Traore, Leon Bailey, Marvelous Nakamba and Kortney Hause. Tim Iroegbunam and Tommi O’Reilly, who Gerrard has already praised, also played with Kerr Smith and Jayden Barber.
Josh Feeney, Brad Young and Hayden Lindley also appeared in the private friendly on Good Friday. Gerrard has so far only given Iroegbunam (4) senior minutes, while Lindley (33) and Young (29) featured for Aston Villa’s first-team before the Villans fired Smith in November.
Steven Gerrard taking close look at promoting Aston Villa gem Ben Chrisene
A first-team role has been on the cards for Chrisene since Gerrard let Matt Targett leave Aston Villa on loan. The England icon suggested the left-back’s departure for Newcastle after buying Lucas Digne would create a pathway for Chrisene to emerge as the back-up.
“I’d have been happy to keep him, but it’s opened up a pathway for young Ben Chrisene,” Gerrard said, via, Birmingham Live. “Really good prospect and we’re really excited to try to help him become a Premier League player.”
Gerrard may now live up to those claims this summer if he adds Chrisene to Aston Villa’s pre-season squad. The 18-year-old made his senior debut in the FA Cup against Liverpool in January 2021. But he is yet to build on the tie impacted by their coronavirus outbreak.
Chrisene has additionally only appeared in four of 10 league sides under Gerrard following Targett leaving Aston Villa on loan. He was an unused substitute against Leeds, Newcastle, Watford and Southampton. But he has not been in any since March 5 against the Saints.
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