Aston Villa midfielder Tim Iroegbunam returned from injury and played 60 minutes for the U21s on Friday night, in a potentially important boost for Unai Emery.
Villa’s youngsters secured a 1-0 win over Hull City, with the 20-year-old named in the starting XI as he made his comeback from a stint out due to injury.
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Iroegbunam impressed at Walsall in pre-season and it appeared as though he could have an important squad role to play for us this year, but an injury in that game set him back as he’s been recovering and working his way back since.
While he resumed group training a week or so ago with the senior squad, Emery has consistently included the talented midfielder in his team news updates, thus suggesting that he sees him having a part to play for us this season in the first team.
In turn, having played for an hour for the U21s, it’s a good sign that he’s closing in on a return to top condition and he’ll hopefully be knocking on the door for involvement at senior level sooner rather than later.
With his technical ability, physicality, athleticism and passing range, Iroegbunam has the characteristics to be a good fit for our midfield in terms of the system and style of play under Emery.
He can progress the ball quickly through the lines while imposing himself off the ball, and while he’ll only improve and develop his game with more experience and playing time, he could be an important option to have this year as we look to compete on multiple fronts.
Neither Youri Tielemans nor Leander Dendoncker have made a significantly positive impression when coming into the Villa XI so far this season, and although his injury was likely a key factor, the fact that Iroegbunam has stayed and not been loaned out would suggest that he’ll get a chance to stake his claim now too.
There were positive signs when he made his initial breakthrough under Steven Gerrard, while his loan spell at QPR last season will have been an important period in his development. Hopefully, we’ll see that talent shine through when given an opportunity back in a Villa shirt again this year.