From ASD and the player's agent: The 19-year old ex-UNC star signed for the English Premier League club at the end of July having already suffered a metatarsal fracture, and missed the rest of 2007. "It has been a tough four or five months for Eric," Steve Kelly told American Soccer Daily. "But he has worked hard to get fit and he is now fully recovered from his injury, so his Villa career essentially began on the 1st of January, 2008." Link: http://www.americansoccerdaily.com/news/lichaj150108.htm
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update Is he in the picture for next year's U-20 WYC? He ought to be young enough if he's 19 right now.
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update Unless he turned 19 since Jan. 1, he'll turn 20 in 2008, and won't be under 20 on Dec 31, 2008.
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update Calling Lichaj an "ex-UNC star" is a bit misleading since in his one season there he redshirted and never played a game for the Tar Heels. Also, Lichah was born 11/17/88 so he's about six weeks too old for current U20 team that will compete in the 09 U20 WC.
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update Thanks for posting this! I was thinking about his guy the other day but couldn't think of his name. Hopefully he can recover fully and quickly (not too quick though, don't want to re injure) and get started playing with reserves or something.
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update He went 90 minutes for the Villa Reserves in their 6-0 win over Derby County Reserves. Here is a thread on VillaTalk From a fan who went to the game: He did almost score off a cross from Routledge, hitting the bar with a volley.
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update Nice. He plays on the same level as Feilhaber so he should be getting a callup any time now.
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update Not to try and turn this into something but after seeing Feilhaber last night I think the kid has talent and the ability to contribute at MNT level. As for Lichaj I guess we have to wait
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update Agreed, in the span of about 10 minutes my anger went from being directed at Bradley for bringing him in to being directed at Derby for wondering what the hell they are doing with him??
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update During Derby practice sessions, the ball never touches the ground in the middle third of the field. So none of the coaches have actually ever seen Feilhaber receive a pass from his teammates. Naturally they can't put him in a game without that piece in place.
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update Lichaj went the distance in Villa's 2-0 win in the FA Premier Academy League Final against Man City today. If you look here, there are some positive comments from fans who were at the game, mostly about his long throws. Watch your back, Gooch!
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update so any news on how he is progressing?? Any chance he will be called up to the first team next year?
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update Anyone have any new updates on this kid with the new season about to get rolling soon?
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update Looks like he isn't to be a large part of team this year either. He has only played in one of their four preseason matches. Played 2nd half of the 3-1 loss to Lincoln City.
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update There is practically no scenario where he would be considered a big part of the team this year- at this stage of the season. For him even to get a crack this year, Villa will need massive injuries. (a la Spector's chance for a couple games at 18). This is a team trying to crack the top 5, and aren't going to trust that to an academy player (especially not in the planning stages)
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update Considering how thin they are at, well every position, especially in the back, I would not be totally surprised to see him get decent time this season.
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update Looks like Lichaj saw some PT vs. Walsall. Though the only mention of him in the match report is not too flattering.
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update Lichaj played 90 in a 4-1 reserve win over Arsenal, surviving what seems to have been a pretty stiff hit: Mark Randall got Arsenal’s consolation but the night ended badly for the hosts with Luke Ayling sent off in stoppage time for a horrendous tackle on American defender Eric Lichaj. ... VILLA: Parish; Lichaj, Herd, S Simmonds, Clark; Stieber, Albrighton, G Gardner, Bannan; Weimann, Delfouneso. Subs: Collins (for Weimann, 76), Dau, Grocott, Forrester, Flanagan. Link: http://www.sundaymercury.net/midlan...nt-aston-villa-thrash-arsenal-66331-21937802/
Re: Lichaj at Villa Update If he gets a chance to play first team, we can have VillAmerica (because Lerner counts too dangit).
