The Villans academy graduate left Villa Park in the summer without a single senior claret and blue appearance.
Aston Villa academy graduate Harry McKirdy left Villa Park without making a single senior appearance but he is now proving a cut above for Carlisle United in League Two.
The 22-year-old had a good tally at youth level but he was often shipped out on loan by the Villa Park side, turning out for the likes of Crewe Alexandra, Newport County and Stevenage.
McKirdy announced his imminent departure even before the Villans had made it back into the Premier League, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail, and with their mission successful and the attacking ranks bolstered, it looked as though McKirdy may have ended up quite some distance down the pecking order.
Carlisle snapped up the attacker in June and he has very much hit the ground running for the Cumbrians, with two goals and four assists in just eight games in all competitions (Transfermarkt) prior to the clash against one of his former clubs, Stevenage, on Saturday.
McKirdy marked his return to the starting XI with two goals and an assist, dragging his side to a 3-2 away win, and manager Steven Pressley hailed the youngster’s attitude, telling the News and Star: “He’s a devastating young player when he’s at it. When you look at McKirdy you always think something’s going to happen.
“I’m really pleased for him. He was disappointed that he didn’t play the previous week, and when I speak to him he’s always stressing how disappointed he is, and I like that. But it’s important not to show your disappointment on the pitch or in training – show me you should play. He did that here.”
Villa would surely not have made the decision lightly when it came to releasing McKirdy but, judging by just how well he is doing – 4 goals and 5 assists in 9 games – could there be a tinge of regret that they didn’t hang on to him a bit longer and give him more of a chance?
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