Source: PA
Villa youngsters reward MacDonald's faith
Aston Villa caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald is hoping a new manager will look favourably upon his youngsters if he decides the job is not for him.
Even after a taster of heady European action, MacDonald remains undecided as to whether he would like to make his temporary role more permanent.
The young players he has blooded in his two games following Martin O'Neill's shock exit must be hoping he stays at the helm. MacDonald is not afraid to give youth a chance as Marc Albrighton, Ciaran Clark, Barry Bannan, Eric Lichaj and Jonathan Hogg can all proudly testify these past few days.
Bannan was the hero of Villa's 1-1 draw with Rapid Vienna in the first leg of their Europa League play-off at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium. The 20-year-old Scot was teed up for his first goal for the club by Albrighton, who again made his mark as in Saturday's season-opening 3-0 home win over West Ham.
Clark made an impact in the centre of defence for that game, whilst Hogg and Lichaj were given their debuts against Rapid. Whether a new manager will look so favourably on the emerging crop as MacDonald does remains to be seen.
MacDonald said: "They're now getting to the age of 19, 20, 21 where they need to start picking up their education and development if they want to make it into the first team. There has been a lot of clubs enquiring about them going on loan, but at this moment in time, with the uncertainty, it'd probably be beneficial for them to stay around and see."
