Taylor Harwood-Bellis could be handed his biggest Aston Villa opportunity yet when Unai Emery’s side face Coventry City in the Carabao Cup.
The summer signing has been waiting for meaningful minutes since completing his move from Southampton, but Villa’s defensive situation has changed considerably ahead of Wednesday night.
Pau Torres is expected to miss the trip after suffering a hamstring injury during the 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
That absence has opened a clear route into the side for Harwood-Bellis.
Emery has already indicated that the defender’s Aston Villa opportunity is approaching, explaining after the Forest game that Torres’ injury could accelerate his involvement.
Coventry could provide Harwood-Bellis chance
Our predicted Aston Villa XI against Coventry includes Harwood-Bellis alongside Tyrone Mings as Emery considers significant rotation.
It would be a logical opportunity.
Harwood-Bellis arrived with substantial senior experience despite being only 24.
Southampton confirmed he left after making 134 appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals and captaining the side on 10 occasions during his final season.
He has nevertheless had to wait since joining Villa.
His omission from the Champions League squad limited one route to minutes, while Emery initially retained his established defensive options domestically.
Torres’ injury now changes that picture.
Our latest Aston Villa team news has the Spaniard among several players expected to miss Coventry.
Wednesday therefore offers more than simple squad rotation for Harwood-Bellis.
A strong performance could give Emery another genuine centre-back option while Torres recovers and begin turning the manager’s prediction that “his time is coming” into reality.
