Here, TBR football looks at one of Aston Villa’s most promising academy talents.
Aston Villa have a rich history of producing talent from their academy, with Jacob Ramsey carrying that flag at the moment.
Jack Grealish and Carney Chukewemeka are previous cases, with the pair fetching an eye-watering £120m in transfer fees.
Since Unai Emery‘s arrival, he has placed great emphasis on giving his academy stars a chance and he recognises the club have a very promising 18-year-old emerging through the ranks.
In fact, it was Wayne Rooney who first spotted him…
Meet Aston Villa’s rising star Omari Kellyman
Omari Kellyman is making serious noise in the academy and has been ever since his £600,000 switch from Derby County in 2022.
At The Rams, he was spotted by the manager at the time Rooney and was awarded a place on his first-team bench aged just 16.
When Derby sanctioned his sale to Villa shortly after, Rooney expressed his frustration as he recognised what a promising talent he was.
“I lost a player this morning (Wednesday), a 16-year-old local lad. I got a text message this morning that a deal had been agreed with Aston Villa.
“That is nine players throughout January we have lost when I was assured we didn’t have to lose any. So it is tough, but we keep fighting.”
Local recruitment manager at Derby, Josh Butler, recalls how stunned he was when he found out Kellyman was playing two years above his age in the under-9s.
“From that moment, I’ve said the kid could be anything he wants to be. When we filled out the forms, we realised he was an under-seven and not an under-nine. He came in and we were completely in awe of him,” Butler told The Athletic.
Unai Emery is aware of just how good Omari Kellyman is
Kellyman has netted seven goals in 11 appearances in the Premier League 2 this term, which is a remarkable return for an attacking midfielder.
The 2005-born made his senior debut against Hibernian in a UEFA Conference League qualifier last August and laid on an assist.
Emery has since handed him another three appearances, which evinces the Spaniard’s belief in his ability.
Speaking after a pre-season friendly last year, the Villa boss revealed what Kellyman needs to improve on.
“Omari for 45 minutes today I think was very good and he did brilliant, in moments he showed his quality and his skill and of course, he has to improve and be stronger in his body but we are working on it,” Emery said.
Villa, evidently have an exceptional talent on their hands, but like all young players, they can’t be rushed and must be nurtured.
The sky is the limit for Kellyman.
The post Meet Aston Villa's youngster who 'could be anything he wants to be', Wayne Rooney spotted him at 16 - opinion appeared first on TBR Football.
