Dean Smith comments on exciting Aston Villa youngster Louie Barry

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Aston Villa manager Dean Smith is “excited” by rising star Louie Barry and believes he could have a big future.

The Midlands giants signed the 16-year-old during the current January window for £880,000 (BBC), as he completed a switch from Barcelona.

He spent six months out in Spain with Barcelona and was previously on the books at West Brom.

Barry has arrived at Villa with a glowing reputation for his performances at youth level and has linked up with the club’s Under-23s side.

The centre-forward is yet to earn any senior minutes and it’s unclear how long it will take to break into the first-team squad, but Smith has already stated he’s been impressed by him.

“Louie has been an academy signing first and foremost, but he is one with an awful lot of potential,” Smith said in his press conference, as quoted by Birmingham Mail.

“I saw him for 20 minutes in a game last week for the under-23s. He has really good movement and is a bright young kid. I am sure he will be a hit at Aston Villa but we can’t forget he is only 16. I am excited by the potential he has got, that is for sure. That is why we have gone and got him.”

TBR’s View:

Barry has returned home to England to make his path into first-team football and it seems more likely of that happening at Villa than Barcelona.

The striker has represented the Young Lions on the international stage for the Under-17 age group and is seen as a star for the future within the set-up.

He can take huge confidence from comments made by senior boss Smith and his job for the rest of the season has to be to try make a serious impact at youth level, which can eventually lead to a promotion to the senior group.