Kadan Young has reflected on an “unbelievable experience” with the first-team squad on the club’s mid-season training camp.
The 16-year-old, alongside a handful of talented youngsters, has joined Unai Emery’s side for the week-long trip to Dubai as Aston Villa prepare for the return of Premier League action.
As well as taking part in daily training sessions and being around the group off the pitch, the skilful wide man stepped off the bench as an 81st-minute substitute in the club’s 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday evening.
Young has taken every opportunity to learn as much as he can from the club’s senior pros, loving every minute of the trip so far, which has whet his appetite for more.
“It’s been an unbelievable experience just being around these top-level players,” he told VillaTV at the club’s training HQ in the Middle East.
“They’ve helped me settle in really well and I’m really enjoying the experience.
“I’m learning so much, especially from the players in my position, just seeing how they work off the ball, how they work on the ball, and just taking as much as I can from these top-level players.”
Young also gained valuable match minutes in last week’s fixture against Cardiff City, introduced as a 67th-minute sub in the Welsh capital.
Having featured against both Cardiff and Brighton, he will be hoping to possibly get more game time against Chelsea on Sunday.
Reflecting on his two outings to date, he said: “It was a really top experience, especially being so young.
“It was a massive achievement, not just for me but for my family; my mum really enjoyed it, my dad, my sister…
“Now I’ve got a taste of it, I want more of it.”
He added: “I know at some point I’ll drop back down with the Under-21s or Under-18s, but this has given me motivation to keep going because I want to be here more regularly.
“It’s been a top experience and hopefully there’s many more to come.”
You can watch Kadan’s full interview below…
