Villa chuk starlet into seniors

ASTON VILLA will not be cashing in on rising star Carney Chukwuemeka – and have fasttracked the 17-year-old into their first-team squad.

The teenager (right) underlined his growing talent by playing a leading role in the club’s 6-1 FA Youth Cup quarter-final demolition of Newcastle United in midweek.

He grabbed a hat-trick and immediately rumours began to circulate that he was in the sights of Champions League big-hitters.

But Chukwuemeka agreed a three-year deal on his 17th birthday last October.

And Villa boss Dean Smith now has the England youth international training with the club’s first team.

Villa are backed by billionaires Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens and both owners share big plans for the club – ones that do not include allowing their brightest talent to leave.

A source said: “He’s 6ft 2in, he’s got the build of a young

Patrick Vieira about him and he has a lovely touch. He’s already with the first-team squad and signed as long a deal as the club could commit to.

“As far as we’re concerned, he’s going nowhere.”

Smith will look at tailored summer programmes for his players after hinting that the Premier League is suffering from burnout.

“Offensively, we’ve struggled since January,” he said.

“Going into the month, we had plenty of players – Jack Grealish, Ollie Watkins, Ross Barkley and Bertrand Traore, who were in such good form.

“Anwar El Ghazi was nominated for player of the month in December.

“Along with Jack coming out of the team, a lot of players have lost rhythm and form and they’re fighting to rediscover that.

“But we’re not the only ones. I see it throughout the Premier League.

“We have been at it now since last May.

“There wasn’t much of a pre-season and it’s just been a continuation for them, there’s been no breather at all. It’s taken a little bit out of the league.

“It was quite an easy one for the European Super League to say they want more exciting games, for example, but we’re in a pandemic. It’s been a tough slog for a lot of teams.

“So, it’s a concern. There’s a European Championship, others will be at the Copa America and next January there’s an AFCON to consider as well.

“It’s something we will have to have a look at.”