A number of one-time Aston Villa prospects forced their way into the first-team after starring at the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
With Aston Villa lightyears away from their glory days, it’s fair to say fans will not take much solace in their excellent record in the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens.
The annual seven-a-side tournament has been claimed five times by Villa since being established in 1999 with Rushian Hepburn-Murphy starring as the Midlands club lifted the title twelve months ago.
Rushian Hepburn Murphy
Once again, Villa have sent a flock of their most highly rated youngsters to the Far East to battle the likes of Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen and Leicester City.
And with Gabby Agbonlahor and Barry Bannan previous winners of the Player of the Tournament award, not to mention Marc Albrighton and Jack Grealish making their name there, this under-the-radar event represents a fine opportunity for Villa’s best and brightest to stake a claim for a place in manager Steve Bruce’s plans.
At least that should be the mindset of 17-year-old centre-half Jacob Bedeau. According to the Birmingham Mail, scouts from 27 different clubs, including Manchesters United and City, were in attendance to watch Bedeau in action for Bury in a League Two game earlier this season.
Therefore, Villa pulled off something of a coup nabbing the wonderkid for just £1 million in January.
He’s since earned rave reviews for his performances in the club’s academy, particularly with regard to his ability to fill in admirably at left-back when required.
And with Bruce seemingly in the market for a new central defender, links with Marc Roberts and Aden Flint gathering momentum, it appears the Hong Kong trip is the perfect opportunity for Bedeau to show that he should be elevated into the club’s first-team plans.
Marc Roberts of Barnsley
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