Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea joined Aston Villa from Juventus in the summer transfer window.
While the initial feeling was that both Iling-Junior and Barrenechea would play a role in the Aston Villa squad this season, they were not part of the key plans under Unai Emery and the Villains acted quickly to make sure that their development took place elsewhere.
The 21-year-old Englishman was loaned out to Bologna and the 23-year-old Argentine joined Valencia, as Douglas Luiz joined Juventus in a permanent move.
As the Birmingham club prepare to take on Juventus themselves later today, Aston Villa sporting director Monchi was asked by Gazzetta dello Sport about both Iling-Junior and Barrenechea and what the future could hold for them.
He made it clear that the club has plans for them.
The Spaniard said: “They are young and we have thought of a specific path for them. We are in no rush, and we are happy to see them grow in their respective teams.”
Barrenechea has had a mixed time at Valencia and has played eight times in La Liga for the Spanish club. He was also called up to the Argentina national squad, but didn’t even make the bench.
Iling-Junior has played only four times for Bologna, but there’s obviously plenty of time left yet.