Express & Star

Dean Smith clears the way for Aston Villa’s kids

Villa will decide the short-term future of several young players in the next fortnight with boss Dean Smith eager to create ‘clear pathways’ for the club’s emerging stars.

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Under-23 aces including Callum O’Hare, Jake Doyle-Hayes and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy could all be loaned out before the end of the month, with Smith keen for them to gain experience of senior football.

Villa’s early exit from the FA Cup and intention to strengthen during the January transfer window means opportunities for first-team football will be severely limited.

Quizzed on his plans for the young players, Smith said: “It is something we will look at and are doing all the time.

“We have a number of players out on loan at the moment getting experience they need. The players need to know the other side of winning and losing in competitive football.

“We have had a number of phone calls from other clubs enquiring about different players. But we want to have a clear pathway and that is something we are going to sit down about over the next couple of weeks.

“Finally there are some free weeks which we don’t have games in the middle of where we can do some planning and create some pathways for these young players.”

Villa have launched a Kids for a Quid promotion for next month’s home clash with Sheffield United.

The scheme, currently open to claret and club members, allows under-18s to attend the game on Friday, February 8, for £1 so long as they are accompanied by an adult.