Phoenix Academy trio set for Aston Villa trial – Butler
Published:Sunday | April 21, 2024 | 12:09 AMGregory Bryce - Gleaner Writer
PHOENIX ACADEMY boss Craig Butler says a trio of his players are set to go on trial with English Premier League outfit Aston Villa today.
According to Butler, Robino Gordon, Dante Peralto and Denzel McKenzie are set to begin training with Aston Villa’s under-21 squad.
Butler explained the opportunity came as Phoenix Academy has built a reputation of producing top-quality players in Europe.
He pointed to the exploits of Leon Bailey, Dujuan Richards, Kemar Reid and Romario Williams as positive examples of the development done at the academy.
“We have developed a cross-Europe reputation of providing quality players. We therefore have contacts at Chelsea, West Ham, Genk, Aston Villa and more,” he said.
“We have constantly been issuing clips of our players and marketing our players properly, and also at the same time, preparing our players for the opportunities when they come.
“Now that we have performed so well, we have the opportunities through these clubs to give them first chance at these players,” he added.
Butler is confident the trio of players will give a good account of themselves while at the Birmingham-based club, describing the players as ‘true professionals’.
He said that for high-profile clubs like Aston Villa, they not only judge a player’s ability on the pitch, but also their character off the pitch as well.
In this regard, he has no worries about how his players will conduct themselves as they have the correct mindset to become professional athletes.
“They have always been super professional, always been willing to learn, extremely loyal and very dedicated footballers. This kind of loyalty and this kind of professionalism is what we’re always looking for.
“When you look at these types of players, you can only say congratulations to the management team that worked with them, not just myself.”
In the case of Peralto, Butler explained the player has already spent the last two weeks in England on trial with English Football League Two club Salford City.
According to Butler, Peralto has been offered a contract from Salford City; however, the player will make his decision on his career after exploring all his options.
The trio are currently under the guidance of Shelley McFarlane, Phoenix Academy’s head of delegation, during their time in Europe.