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Steven Gerrard sings praises of 'terrific' Aston Villa starlet Tim Iroegbunam
Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has praised young midfielder Tim Iroegbunam after making his Premier League debut in the 0-0 draw with Leicester.
Iroegbunam came on as a late second half substitute to help see out the result, ending a four-game losing run for the Midlands side.
Now Gerrard has praised the teenager for his development and given him advice on how he can become a mainstay in his plans going forward for the rest of the season and beyond.
“Tim Iroegbunam, I’ve spoken before about, he was the most ready to come in and help us,” he said, as quoted by Birmingham Mail.
“Dougie [Luiz] was on a yellow card and I didn’t want to go down to 10 men because it was important we stopped the losing run, it was important we kept a clean sheet and I thought Tim was terrific today.
“He played with calmness and maturity and he’s going to be looking at me all week for more game time now. He’s a top professional. He’s in the gym before training, he’s in the gym after.
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“He needs to come out of his shell, he needs to find his voice because now he’s in men’s football and we think the world of him, he’s got a big future here. But it’s my job to keep managing his game time, to prepare him for a big career.”
Prospect
Aston Villa’s academy showed not long ago in that now famous game against Liverpool in the FA Cup two years ago that they’re full of quality.
Iroegbunam was not part of the team at that point, however his ability has seen him shoot through the ranks and he’s now someone that the club have really backed to progress.
Gerrard has shown that he is not afraid to give young players a chance too. Jacob Ramsey has become a key member of the side while Charney Chukwuemeka has also featured in the first-team this season too.
Iroegbunam isn’t likely to break into the midfield any time soon as a regular starter such is the level of talent in their squad currently, but he has the ability to become an option soon and from there the world is his oyster.
A loan next season may be the ideal step but for now he has been given the advice on how to make that next step his best step. It’s down to him to take it, implement it and continue to blossom.
In other Aston Villa news, Aston Villa boss Steve Gerrard scouts Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara