Aston Villa's under-18 striker Brian Madjo has already made a name for himself, scoring a leveller against Real Sociedad in a friendly match on Tuesday. The 17-year-old's display has sparked hopes for the future under new head coach Unai Emery.
Emery's Villa Still Fine-Tuning for New Campaign
Aston Villa suffered a 4-2 defeat to Real Sociedad in a friendly match on Tuesday, but head coach Unai Emery remains optimistic about the team's prospects. The Europa League holders are still fine-tuning their squad ahead of the new campaign, with several key players still on holiday or returning from injury.
Madjo's impressive display has caught the eye of fans and pundits alike, with the teenager's strength and power unsettling the visiting defenders. At 6ft 4in, Madjo has already been compared to Belgium's Romelu Lukaku, and his goal-scoring ability has left many hoping he will make a big impact in the Premier League soon.
Registration Saga Continues for Madjo
Villa are still awaiting the outcome of their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to register Madjo, who joined the club from Metz for £10m in January. Under-18s cannot complete international transfers, but Villa have argued that Madjo was born in London and should be exempt from this rule. If successful, Madjo will be able to play for Villa in competitive games, but for now, he remains a tantalising prospect for the future.
The club is still in the market for a striker, with Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson remaining a top target. However, in Madjo, they have someone Emery can refine quietly before his entrance into the spotlight. Emery's side will play Indonesia All-Stars on Saturday, BG Pathum United next Tuesday, before facing Bayern Munich in Hong Kong on 7 August.
Changes at Villa Mean Opportunities for Young Players
The summer transfer window has seen significant changes at Villa, with the departure of players like Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers, as well as Amadou Onana's serious knee injury. This has created opportunities for young players like Madjo and 19-year-old midfielder George Hemmings to break into the first team. Hemmings was a handful for Sociedad, with strength and power unsettling the visiting defenders.
The fact that there are players still away or returning from injury means that bodies are needed, and major outgoings for fringe players like Leon Bailey or Evann Guessand are not necessarily expected while Villa are away. Emery's side will return to action once the tour is complete, with the Super Cup against Paris St-Germain in Salzburg on 12 August marking the start of a busy period.
Source: Joy Online
