Eight of Aston Villa’s 10-man squad at this year’s HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens are set to sign pro contracts.
June 17, 2015: Left-back Lewis Kinsella, midfielder Riccardo Calder and striker Jerell Sellars are among eight Aston Villa players from this year’s Soccer Sevens set to sign or extend contracts with the Midlands club, according to www.avfc.co.uk.
Kinsella, who captained Villa in Hong Kong this year, started training with the first team soon after Tim Sherwood’s arrival and is set to sign a one-year deal. Drafted in on matchdays due to the injuries of recognised left-backs Aly Cissokho and Kieran Richardson, Kinsella was an unused sub against West Brom in the FA Cup and for Premier League games against Sunderland and Swansea.
“It was unbelievable to get the call. I didn’t expect it. Everything you imagined it would be like, it is – and more. It was like a dream come true and it has given me a huge lift to be involved,” Kinsella said. “With the new gaffer, everyone is getting opportunities. We are just desperate to show what we have.”
Jerell Sellars was Villa’s top scorer at this year’s Soccer Sevens.
Calder and Sellars, who both played in the Soccer Sevens in 2013 and 2015, right-back Tom Leggett (2014, 2015), goalkeepers Brad Watkins (2015) and Benjamin Siegrist, midfielder Henry Cowans (2014) and defender Josh Webb (2012, 2013 and 2014) are among players signing contract extensions.
Sellars was Villa’s top scorer at this year’s Soccer Sevens as the side were bundled out of the Shield semi-finals after a penalty shootout loss to Yau Yee League Select, following a 2-0 loss to Newcastle United in the Cup quarters.
Midfield terrier Rory Hale (2015) and attacker Harry McKirdy (2014, 2015) are among the scholars set to sign their first professional contracts, while Niall Mason (2015) is joining as a pro after being released by Southampton.
Source: http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4795355,00.html