Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
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Albion youngsters tipped for big careers
Monday 31st May 2010, 11:29AM BST.
Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo today predicted more academy youngsters will make their mark in the first team after their international success.
Di Matteo saw academy starlets George Thorne and Saido Berahino pick up winners’ medals at the European Under-17s Championships in Lichtenstein yesterday.
And teenage striker Chris Wood started for New Zealand as they beat Serbia 1-0 in a result hailed as one of their best ever.
And Di Matteo is confident there is more to come from home-grown Albion stars.
The head coach said: “Chris Wood has come through the academy and he has broken into the first team this year. He is still very young at 18.
“He is the first for a while but I am very confident there are many more to come because there are good and talented players in our Academy.
“I gave a debut to George Thorne and there are some others that are showing signs of becoming good players.
“We scout regionally to bring good players to the club and develop them.
“Keith Downing (under-18s coach) is doing a very good job at that level and Dan Ashworth (sporting director) is still involved — he does a tremendous job.”
Di Matteo was still awaiting news today on Spain international Pablo Ibanez’s move to The Hawthorns, but the 28-year-old’s free transfer from Atletico Madrid is expected to be finalised in the next few days.
* Reports in Spain today claimed Albion record signing Borja Valero had agreed a four-year deal to join Champions League qualifiers Sevilla, although the clubs have not yet agreed a transfer fee with Albion keen to recoup their £4.7m outlay.
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