[graka]

For anyone with access to Man Utd tv our u21s are on live now

[OldburyWBA]

You can also watch through the official website

https://www.wba.co.uk/news/watch-albion-v-manchester-united-premier-league-2-game-live-hawthorns

[graka]

Losing 2-0 at half time to an experienced united team according to their commentators
Could have been 4-1 united constantly playing over our left centre half where we seem to be playing a high line and not pressing enough
Positive signs from Hall,whitwell and mfuamba
Our centre half harper Bailey had a first half to forget

[Hunnington Baggie]

2 Youth players have signed their first professional contracts today, Central Midfielder Ollie Bostock (17) and Centre Back Jamal Mohammed (17, soon to be 18)

Congratulations to both of them and hopefully it leads to 1st team opportunities in the future.

[timdon]

Villa were a bit slow out of the blocks on these two. Both highly rated.

[gazberg]

Villa were a bit slow out of the blocks on these two. Both highly rated.

Beat me to me asking "anyone know if these are meant to be rated?" 😂

[timdon]

Beat me to me asking "anyone know if these are meant to be rated?" 😂

Ollie Bostock has been with us since the age of 6 !!!!!!!!

[gazberg]

Ollie Bostock has been with us since the age of 6 !!!!!!!!

Clearly I don't follow the kids half as hard as Smethdan suggests 😂

[SmethDan]

Clearly I don't follow the kids half as hard as Smethdan suggests 😂

Our interpretations of hard are allegedly open to a subject of your mass debate  .

[gazberg]

Our interpretations of hard are allegedly open to a subject of your mass debate  .

This could easily get derailed by yourself Dan so I'll leave it there and congratulate these 2 young lads on hopefully the start of an amazing career with his hopefully!

[SmethDan]

This could easily get derailed by yourself Dan so I'll leave it there and congratulate these 2 young lads on hopefully the start of an amazing career with his hopefully!

Ha ha. Apologies over the gloomy looking face. It was meant to be a smiley and tongue in cheek. No offence meant  .

[gazberg]

Ha ha. Apologies over the gloomy looking face. It was meant to be a smiley and tongue in cheek. No offence meant  .

None taken at all 🙂

[BalisPen]

2 Youth players have signed their first professional contracts today, Central Midfielder Ollie Bostock (17) and Centre Back Jamal Mohammed (17, soon to be 18)

Congratulations to both of them and hopefully it leads to 1st team opportunities in the future.

I hope they both have a long and brilliant future with us.

[Blandy]

2 Youth players have signed their first professional contracts today, Central Midfielder Ollie Bostock (17) and Centre Back Jamal Mohammed (17, soon to be 18)

Congratulations to both of them and hopefully it leads to 1st team opportunities in the future.

It’s my understanding that pro contracts have been offered to a number of the current U18 group - including Evan Humphries, Archie Kirton, Ben Cisse, Adriel Walker, Deago Nelson & Cole Deeming. That’s in addition to these two plus Harry Whitwell & Kev Mfuamba who were awarded theirs as you know a few months ago. I believe (but not 100% certain) that the two lads signed from Scotland (Mandey & Sule) were signed as pro’s anyway.

If they all accept the terms and sign I make that 12 new pro’s for next season.

[SmethDan]

It’s my understanding that pro contracts have been offered to a number of the current U18 group - including Evan Humphries, Archie Kirton, Ben Cisse, Adriel Walker, Deago Nelson & Cole Deeming. That’s in addition to these two plus Harry Whitwell & Kev Mfuamba who were awarded theirs as you know a few months ago. I believe (but not 100% certain) that the two lads signed from Scotland (Mandey & Sule) were signed as pro’s anyway.

If the Villa don't fancy them and chuck 'em a shed load of cash I make that 12 new pro’s for next season.

Sneakily edited for you Blandy  .

[Baggies]

Thanks for the info Blandy, very interesting to know (albeit Dan's edit is undoubtedly the reality).

Are there any that have particularly stood out to you? Are Fenton Heard and Layton Love part of that age group? My gut instinct says Heard will be in Villa colours by the summer.

[Hunnington Baggie]

Thanks for the info Blandy, very interesting to know (albeit Dan's edit is undoubtedly the reality).

Are there any that have particularly stood out to you? Are Fenton Heard and Layton Love part of that age group? My gut instinct says Heard will be in Villa colours by the summer.

Heard’s already signed a professional contract last year, rejecting an advance from Villa in the process.

[Blandy]

Thanks for the info Blandy, very interesting to know (albeit Dan's edit is undoubtedly the reality).

Are there any that have particularly stood out to you? Are Fenton Heard and Layton Love part of that age group? My gut instinct says Heard will be in Villa colours by the summer.

Fenton & Layton are the year above these boys and as Hunnington points out, signed their first pro contracts last year. However, I’m led to believe they were just 1 year contracts so there will need to be negotiations regarding a new deal for them going forward.

[SmethDan]

Fenton & Layton are the year above these boys and as Hunnington points out, signed their first pro contracts last year. However, I’m led to believe they were just 1 year contracts so there will need to be negotiations regarding a new deal for them going forward.

The one year deals were signed with one year options in the club's favour from memory.

[Blandy]

The one year deals were signed with one year options in the club's favour from memory.

That’s true but you have to be a bit careful with one year options. When you give the first contract you’re essentially saying “We’re not 100% sure about you so we’re hedging our bets”. That’s fine for a lot of players signing their first pro deal, they’re just happy for the opportunity. But if you back that up by ‘just’ adding the second year you’re saying we’re still not 100% about you - and the player is immediately in the last year of his contract.
That’s why there’s often negotiation over a new, improved deal at that point, particularly with players who are rated and may be of interest to others.

[Dan]

Mo Faal scored a last minute winner for Walsall yesterday bringing him up to 10 for the season. 10 non-penalty goals for a young centre forward in their first season in professional football is good going, hopefully we can get him on a longer contract with his due to expire at the end of the season. Clearly there's something there.

For context he's one of 7 players 21 or under to have scored at least 10 league goals so far this season in the entire league pyramid, so there's not tonnes of players out their doing it.

[KN22]

Mo Faal scored a last minute winner for Walsall yesterday bringing him up to 10 for the season. 10 non-penalty goals for a young centre forward in their first season in professional football is good going, hopefully we can get him on a longer contract with his due to expire at the end of the season. Clearly there's something there.

For context he's one of 7 players 21 or under to have scored at least 10 league goals so far this season in the entire league pyramid, so there's not tonnes of players out their doing it.

Yes, good for him. I do get to hear a little about him and, apparently, he is very erratic. As you rightly say though, there is something there. Could go either way with him I think.

[gazberg]

Cole Deeming signs 2.5 year pro deal


https://www.wba.co.uk/news/cole-deeming-pens-professional-terms-albion

[lewisant]

Cole Deeming signs 2.5 year pro deal


https://www.wba.co.uk/news/cole-deeming-pens-professional-terms-albion

Never heard of him but just happy to see the sentence doesn’t end with “for Aston Villa.” 

[gazberg]

Never heard of him but just happy to see the sentence doesn’t end with “for Aston Villa.” 

Hahah same mate.

Think this chap is rated but I have no idea really.