Young Villa midfielder Barry Bannan has joined Championship promotion contenders and in turn team-mate Eric Lichaj at Leeds United until the end of the season. The Villa management repeatedly stressed that the Scot was not available for a loan deal along with Fabian Delph as he would be needed in the run in. It appears Houllier has changed his mind and the club have allowed the little playmaker to make the trip North to aid in Simon Grayson’s sides promotion push until the end of the season.
Bannan broke into the first team set-up, making his Premier League debut in the opening day 3-0 win over West Ham. He then netted his first senior goal in the away draw at Rapid Vienna before being called upon more often due to injuries to Petrov and Reo-Coker. Stand out performances against Fulham and Blackburn have caught the eye in particular and the 21-year-old subsequently earned a senior international call-up, stealing the show on his debut. However, since the return to fitness of the aforementioned senior midfielders and the signings of Pires and Makoun, Bannan has found his chances limited of late and made his last appearance in the much changed side that lost 3-0 to Man City in the FA Cup last week. Many Villa fans have been disappointed that the youngster has been dropped from the entire squad on numerous occasions of late and hopefully Barry can prove his manager wrong and impress in the Championship once again after playing an important role in Blackpool’s promotion last term. Villa have a recall option after 28 days on the deal. Good luck lad!
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