Aston Villa go into the international break in a positive frame of mind after beating Leicester City 2-1 on Saturday at the King Power Stadium.
Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee and Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah were impressed by one Aston Villa performance, in particular.
The European games haven’t even kicked in yet and Unai Emery is having to juggle with injuries already, on top of the long-term problems he has.
The Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings injuries have been well-documented, but within a week, Matty Cash, Diego Carlos, Leon Bailey and Jaden Philogene have also been sidelined.
That meant Villa had to shuffle the pack for their win at Leicester, with academy product Lamare Bogarde making his debut at right-back.
Emery could have pushed for Kosta Nedeljkovic, who has made two substitute appearances during the opening few weeks, but the 18-year-old remained on the bench for a man two years his senior.
For large parts of the game, Bogarde held his own and showcased some real promise, before picking up a yellow card when the home team pilled the pressure on.
Emery did the right thing to sub the Dutchman off with ten minutes left because he was worn out and starting to fade in the game.
But it was a positive debut for the youngster and many players were impressed, as they shared their thoughts in the comments section of his Instagram post.
Lamare Bogarde makes Aston Villa debut
Liverpool defender Quansah, who had a breakthrough campaign last season, applauded the Villa man, whilst Morgan Rogers told him ‘Just the start, top bro’.
West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville added by saying: ‘The youngest’ and Omari Kellyman told him: ‘My brother’.
Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee called Bogarde’s performance as ‘top’, with ex-Villa winger Scott Sinclair writing: ‘Congrats, my man’.
Villa Academy duo – Kaine Kelser Hayden and Tommi O’Reilly added their own thoughts: ‘Love it’ and ‘Proud, bro’.
Aston Villa’s right-back spot
When the summer transfer window slammed shut and Villa failed to sign defender Lutsharel Geertruida, fans were left pretty disappointed.
Given Matty Cash’s injury and iffy form – added with problems to Carlos, which then doesn’t allow Ezri Konsa to switch to fullback – it leaves the club a little light on that side.
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But with Bogarde and Nedeljkovic, the future is bright and you are hoping this proves to be a blessing in disguise.
If one, and perhaps both if Villa are lucky, can showcase serious progression this season, then the club might have saved millions and millions in previously wanting to bring in another right-back.
