Aston Villa
Aston Villa must not delay promoting this 4-goal ace starring for U23s any longer – Here’s why
Why Aston Villa should promote Indiana Vassilev to the senior squad
According to Birmingham Live, Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith was in attendance at Bodymoor Heath on Monday night to keep a close eye on academy prospect Indiana Vassilev, who bagged a brace to propel the U23s to a 5-3 victory over Middlesbrough in the Premier League 2 Division 2.
The 18-year-old took his tally up to 4 goals in his last 6 games for the U23s, bagging a quickfire brace in the first half to set the stage for an eight-goal thriller. Vassilev scored his first with a well-taken header while a sweetly-struck low drive into the bottom corner led to his second goal.
Held in high regard by the youth coaching staff at Villa Park as a proper poacher with a devastating eye for goal and immaculate ball control (h/t Birmingham Live), Vassilev left the home supporters in awe with his heroics in front of goal for the U23s on Monday.
Born in Georgia to parents of Bulgarian descent, Vassilev migrated to the United States and started playing football at a very young age. Aston Villa scouted him while he was absolutely ripping it up for the USA at the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup in India and he came through the door soon after.
Vassilev initially struggled to make his presence felt at the U23 level in the PL 2 during the 2018-19 campaign but he has made an impressive transition this time around, registering 4 goals and 2 assists in 11 appearances.
Things aren’t really looking too bright for the Villans as far as their Premier League credentials are concerned and Smith will surely need to find a way to improve in the coming months.
A new striker to provide cover and competition for Wesley Moraes continues to be a priority, with youngster Keinan Davis currently on the sidelines and Jonathan Kodjia merely making up the numbers in the matchday squads.
Wesley has come under criticism for a series of lacklustre displays in front of the goal this term.
He hasn’t been all that bad for a young striker in his first season in the Premier League but his inconsistencies certainly can’t be played down.
To that end, though Villa are unlikely to splash the cash on any marquee signings in January, with Smith confirming that the club is not preparing for a busy transfer window after spending a fortune to facilitate a massive squad overhaul this past summer (h/t Birmingham Live).
To put things into perspective, Aston Villa might need to promote someone from within their own academy to solve the lack of depth in the attack. Fast-tracking Indiana Vassilev could save them millions of pounds in the transfer window.
Blessed with an absolute wand of a left foot, Vassilev boasts of the versatility and the technical skills to play out wide on either flank, as a No.10 or even as an out-and-out centre-forward up top. His red-hot form in the PL 2 means that he would certainly be worth a punt for Smith (h/t Birmingham Mail).
Hence, Aston Villa would add some quality cover to their attacking ranks without having to spend a single penny in January.
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Verdict
All in all, promoting Indiana Vassilev to the senior ranks looks like a gamble worth taking for Aston Villa in the coming months.
Liverpool Women host Aston Villa at St. Helens Stadium on Sunday in a match that could seal their fate as relegation candidates. The Reds sit at the bottom of the WSL table with just 7 points from 14 matches, while Villa occupy 8th with 16 points after suffering a late 2-1 defeat to Everton last weekend.
Gareth Taylor’s side are running out of time to save their season with just nine games remaining. The 3-1 loss to Manchester United exposed glaring defensive frailties that have plagued Liverpool all campaign, and Villa will fancy their chances of collecting three crucial points away from home.
Kick-off: 12:00 GMT, Sunday, February 8, 2026
Venue: St Helens Stadium, St Helens
TV: Sky Sports
Taylor’s Honeymoon Period Emphatically Over
The former Manchester City coach has endured a nightmare start to life at Liverpool, winning just once in the league this season against Tottenham on January 25th. That solitary victory briefly offered hope before reality crashed back down at Old Trafford last weekend.
Martha Thomas, Denise O’Sullivan, and Alice Bergstrom have provided attacking quality since arriving in January, but the Reds continue shipping goals at an alarming rate. Liverpool have conceded 24 goals already, giving them the joint worst defensive record alongside West Ham.
Villa Struggling for Consistency
Aston Villa threw away a winning position against Everton after Ebony Salmon’s early opener, eventually succumbing to Martina Fernandez’s late strike. Natalia Arroyo’s side remains frustratingly inconsistent despite flashes of quality throughout the season.
The Villans beat Brighton 2-1 before the Everton loss, but were thrashed 4-1 by Manchester United the week prior. Villa needs to string together consecutive wins if they harbour any ambitions of climbing back towards mid table.
Predicted Lineups:
Liverpool (4-1-4-1): Falk; Shimizu, Clark, Fisk, Bernabe; Nagano; Bergstrom, O’Sullivan, Kapocs, Holland; Thomas
Aston Villa (3-4-2-1): Roebuck; Blinkilde, Mayling, Pacheco; Mullett, Dali, Blindkilde, Deslandes; Salmon, Lehmann; Daly
Leicester City Women host Manchester United at the King Power Stadium on Sunday as both sides look to strengthen their positions in the WSL table. The Foxes sit ninth with 12 points from 14 matches, while United occupy fifth place with 27 points, just one point behind third placed Arsenal in the race for automatic Champions League qualification.
Marc Skinner’s side comes into this match full of confidence after reaching the Women’s League Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Arsenal. However, they then suffered a setback with a 4-1 defeat at Aston Villa, meaning United desperately need three points to keep pace with the top three. Leicester have been transformed under Rick Passmoor and will fancy their chances of causing an upset.
Kick-off: 14:00 GMT, Saturday, 7 February 2026
Venue: King Power Stadium, Leicester
TV: Sky Sports and WSL YouTube
United Must Bounce Back From Villa Hammering
Manchester United’s 4-1 defeat at Aston Villa was a shocking result that exposed defensive frailties Skinner thought he had solved. Ella Toone remains out until March with a hip injury, robbing United of their most creative midfielder during a crucial period in the season.
Fridolina Rolfo should return after missing the Villa match, while Gabby George and Leah Galton remain sidelined. Elisabeth Terland has struggled for form recently despite scoring against Villa, netting just two goals since her flying start to the campaign. Ellen Wangerheim could feature after impressing in recent weeks.
Lehmann Arrival Transforms Leicester Attack
Leicester have been revitalized since Rick Passmoor took charge, steadying the ship after a difficult start to the season. The January signing of Alisha Lehmann from FC Como represents a major coup for the Foxes, bringing WSL experience and proven quality from her time with West Ham, Everton and Aston Villa.
Rachel Williams, signed from Tottenha,m provides another attacking threat alongside Jutta Rantala. This is a genuinely dangerous Leicester side capable of punishing any complacency from United, who cannot afford another slip up in their top three pursuit.
Predicted Lineups
Leicester (4-2-3-1): Leitzig; Nevin, Howard, Pacheco, Goodwin; Cain, Whelan; Lehmann, Tierney, Chan; Williams
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tullis-Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Naalsund; Malard, Terland, Rolfo; Schuller
Also read: Arsenal WFC vs. Leicester City WFC: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
Manchester United Women travel to Villa Park on Sunday morning looking to build momentum after reaching their first ever Women’s League Cup final.
The Red Devils beat Arsenal 1-0 in Wednesday’s semi final through Elisabeth Terland’s strike, and Marc Skinner will demand his side carry that confidence into the WSL.
United sit fifth in the standings, just four points behind third placed Arsenal who occupy the last Champions League qualification spot. Aston Villa won the corresponding fixture 1-0 earlier this season and have won their last two games at Villa Park, making this a genuinely tricky assignment.
Kick-off: 11:55 GMT, Sunday, January 26, 2026
Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham
TV: Sky Sports+ app (UK)
Injury Crisis Continues for Skinner
United will be without Fridolina Rolfo, Gabby George, Leah Galton and Ella Toone once again. Skinner confirmed the quartet remain sidelined, though Rolfo is training and could return soon. “Hopefully Frido and Gabby are close and then a little bit longer for Leah and Tooney. Apart from that, everyone else is available,” he said.
Ellen Wangerheim could make her WSL debut after starting Wednesday’s cup semi final. This would be an exciting development for United fans desperate to see what the Swedish forward can do in the league.
Villa Missing Key Duo
Aston Villa will be without captain Rachel Daly and forward Chasity Grant through injury, which significantly weakens their attacking threat. However, they have strengthened in January by signing Chelsea midfielder Oriane Jean-Francois and American fullback Jenna Nighswonger on loan from Arsenal.
Predicted Lineups:
Aston Villa (4-3-3): Leat; Corsie, Turner, Patten, Mayling; Nobbs, Leon, Taylor; Hanson, Daly, Salmon
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tullis-Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Naalsund; Malard, Terland, Awujo; Schuller
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