The annual tournament starts this weekend in Hong Kong and traditionally we have done very well in this tournament which we won a couple of years ago.
The tournament features names like Ajax, Rangers, Celtic and a small club called Birmingham City ?
The group stage we have Southampton, Eastleigh and Yau Yee League Select
All results and details here
Villa’s team is traditionally the younger reserves but we have included Nathan Delfouneso, Marc Albrighton and Ciaran Clark and stand a very good chance of regaining the trophy.
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Care to explain what the Hong Kong 7′s is?
Nevermind i’ll google it. Similar to the Kuala Lumpa 5′s i expect, except 7-a-side and on a bigger pitch.
At least the younger lads will get some more playing time and especially the likes of Marc Albrighton who’s had limited opportunities in the first team this season.
Any chance of the other lads names who are included?
If i remember correctly, Zoltan Stieber got player of the tournament back in 2007… only to be given NO chance whatsoever in the Villa first team and to be shipped off a year or two later. I know for a fact he would have been a huge player if he had been brought up alongside the quality we have in our first team. I remember watching him for the reserves and academy whenever i got the chance, he was magic, a class ahead of anyone else on the pitch.
My point is.. it doesnt matter what players shine in this tournament or not. Chances are – they wont be given a shot by MON. Notice that the only regular first team player we have, who was brought through the academy is Gabby. And he was given his shot by David O’Leary.
MON is too cautious to give academy players a proper chance. Albrighton and Delfouneso have proven how good they are! Take a leaf out of Moyes’ book MON…
Osman, Rooney, Hibbert, Vaughan and now Rodwell and Gosling.
Hint Hint!!