Aston Villa may be handed a boost next season with academy loanee Ben Chrisene impressing last night for Blackburn Rovers against Newcastle United.
Aston Villa may not have been in action last night, but one of their representatives may have caught the eye of Unai Emery ahead of next season.
The Spaniard has seen his defence stripped bare of options this campaign due to injury, with his first-choice back line unable to play with each other for the majority of the 2023/24 calendar.
Emery has had his adaptability tested when attempting to cover for his absences, tests that he has so far passed with flying colours.
The manager will have some food for thought if he tuned into Newcastle United’s FA Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers last night, as academy jewel Ben Chrisene shone for his loan side.
How Ben Chrisene performed against Newcastle United
In the FA Cup fifth round, Blackburn Rovers were knocked out on penalties to their Premier League opposition after 120 minutes of play failed to separate the two sides.
Playing at left wing-back for Rovers was Villa academy talent, Ben Chrisene, who showcased just how valuable an asset he could be to the club as he went toe-to-toe with a team from the top flight.
Against Newcastle, the Englishman played 120 minutes, completing 100% of his crosses, making six clearances, three interceptions and recording one tackle to assert his dominance on the left, via Sofascore.
Having his performance summed up as “impressive” by journalist Tom Nightingale, the 20-year-old was tested by the likes of Kieran Trippier on the flank, giving insight into how he could one day fare against opposition of that quality.
What Ben Chrisene could offer to Aston Villa next season
The 2004-born academy talent has spent the previous two seasons on loan after joining Villa at U18 level from Exeter in 2020.
In January, Chrisene joined Rovers in a bid to build on his senior experience after spending the 2022/23 campaign in the Scottish Premiership with Kilmarnock.
Since arriving at the Championship side, the youngster has secured six appearances in the second tier so far, showing his versatility playing in both his favoured left-back role and at times on the left side of central defence.
Now that the Villa talent has an understanding of the standard of senior football, the Englishman could now fight for a spot at his parent club next season, particularly given the lack of options that Emery has faced this term.
With Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno the manager’s current choices at left-back, Chrisene could see a pathway into the squad if he continues to perform at the level he did last night until he returns to Villa Park.
The 20-year-old’s contract with the Villans is due to expire in 2025, making his every move crucial with reference to his future at the Midlands club.
