Jaden Philogene-Bidace had a lot to prove this summer after a disappointing loan at Stoke City last season, but the 20-year-old has now missed both of Aston Villa’s pre-season friendlies.
He failed to make the matchday squad for Villa’s 4-0 win over Walsall on July 9, failed to make the matchday squad for their 1-0 win over Leeds United on July 17 and could failed to make the matchday squad in Wednesday’s friendly.
Steven Gerrard said he may not be able to play Philogene-Bidace against Brisbane Roar on July 20 due to the wide-man picking up an injury. He revealed via Birmingham Live: “Jaden’s got a knock at the moment. He hasn’t trained for the last two days.”
If the 20-year-old doesn’t feature for Villa in pre-season, there’s surely no chance he’s kept in the first-team. Philogene-Bidace was already low down the pecking order, so he isn’t going to dethrone Emiliano Buendia, Leon Bailey, Bertrand Traore or Philippe Coutinho if he doesn’t impress in pre-season.
The England U20 international has scored nine goals with one assist from 15 games for the U18s, scored 13 goals with four assists from 27 games for the U23s and made five appearances for the first-team.
Philogene-Bidace is yet to establish himself at senior level and isn’t doing himself any favours while injured. Read Aston Villa have said previously that another loan move away might be best for him.
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