‘Wonderful’ Aston Villa gem has 10 clubs lining up at his door for loan exit

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Aston Villa prospect Louie Barry is attracting significant interest in his services this summer after the striker produced a strong goal return whilst on loan at Swindon Town last season.

That’s according to Birmingham Live, who report at least 10 clubs are currently lining up a move for the 18-year-old. Barry left talent spotters around the country captivated with his performances at the County Ground after he joined the Robins during the January market.

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Former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith had initially sent Barry to Ipswich Town in August for a season in League One. But the youngster would return to Villa Park at the mid-season mark, having played just six times for 286 minutes and without scoring in any competition.

Yet Steven Gerrard’s decision to sanction a step down to League Two in the winter market did the trick for Barry. He started his Swindon spell by scoring in just his second start away to Carlisle United, before hitting a brace against Walsall amid a six-goal haul in 14 outings.

Aston Villa should now strive for Championship loan amid vast interest in Barry

Barry predominantly featured from the left-wing at Swindon, as the teenager helped Ben Garner’s side reach the League Two play-offs. The Robins would lose on penalties to Port Vale in the semi-finals, before the Valiants took a 3-0 win over Mansfield Town in the final.

Aston Villa will likely now look to secure Barry a step up to the Championship, or at least a second chance in League One. The England U18 international had not played any regular senior minutes before joining Ipswich, and learnt a lot from his subsequent Swindon spell.

Garner told Swindon’s website: “He’s fitted in really well, worked well in training, wants to learn, wants to improve. Very, very coachable, takes things on. Tactically very intelligent.

“Yeah, the confidence of the goal at Carlisle and then these two finishes on Tuesday, for a young lad at eighteen-years-old to go in like that and show that composure is wonderful.”