Callum O'Hare of Aston Villa playing for Coventry City on loan during a League One encounter last March. (Getty Images)
According to Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa are yet to offer a new deal for their academy graduate Callum O’Hare.
The 22-year-old’s current contract with the Villans is set to expire at the end of this month, there is no option for an extension, meaning he will be free to move to other clubs by July.
O’Hare had spent this season on loan with League One side Coventry City, helping them earn promotion to the Championship. Earlier this week, Coventry were awarded the League One title after the EFL made a points-per-game decision to finalise the league table.
Attacking midfielder O’Hare had played a key role in Mark Robins’ Coventry side this season, scoring four goals and assisting seven times from 39 matches across all competitions. The Mirror (h/t Birmingham Mail) claims that Coventry’s main focus is to sign O’Hare, who will be offered a starting role next season after impressing for them this term.
A product of the Aston Villa Academy, he has featured 61 times for their under-23 side and has 15 goals and 11 assists to his name, speaking volumes about his talent. Despite being a regular for their under-23 side, O’Hare, however, has featured just nine times for their senior side, most of which have come during cup competitions.
His time at Villa Park has also involved a loan spell with Carlisle United apart from Coventry City. During his brief time at Carlisle, O’Hare made 16 appearances for them, scoring and assisting three times each, once again giving an idea of his potential when given a chance.
Villa have endured a difficult campaign in the Premier League this season and are almost certain of relegation back to the Championship just one year after securing their promotion. They are currently just one spot ahead of bottom-placers Norwich City, having won just seven out of their overall 28 league games.
Lack of creativity in the attack and midfield has seen the side manage just 34 goals this season, with skipper Jack Grealish being the lone performer in the side. Meanwhile, Grealish’s top-form this season has seen him be a subject of transfer speculation from rivals Manchester United, who are keen to grab the Villa captain’s signature.
Apart from Grealish, the rest of the midfielders in the side have failed to impress. With Grealish’s future remaining uncertain, Villa face a major concern in their midfield next season whether they stay in the top-flight or get relegated.
In such a case, Villa would be doing themselves a world of good by offering in-form man O’Hare a chance. All they have to do is keep faith in their academy graduate and offer him more first-team chances. Hence, they should act quickly and extend his stay at Villa Park by offering him a new contract.
Aston Villa’s dearth of good midfield talents has been evident from their displays in the league this season. O’Hare is still young and has plenty of time to develop. He will be eager to prove a point after being denied of first-team opportunities for so long.
