Thousands of undiscovered footballers from around the world have been competing for a contract with the Nike Academy 2011/12. Nike will provide a full season learning from top-level coaches and playing in front of Premier League scouts in the UK.

The final 100 players will shortly be pared down to the eight winners. The four players representing the UK have been receiving last minute tips from the pros, most recently stopping by Aston Villa for a technical session with our own Sid Cowans.

There’s also a nicely put together video of the two midfielders, Toby Ajala and Titi Accam, receiving some tips from James Milner and Adam Johnson if you’re interested. Click here.

Aston Villa Reserves 10 Arsenal Reserves 1

You won’t need me to tell you that the Aston Villa reserves took Arsenal to pieces at Hinckley last night, it’s literally everywhere. I was planning on touching on the subject from a different angle from the other blogs, but I think I’ll save that for another day.

However, I will just say that the most impressive thing for me is the apparent willingness to be completely ruthless and go for the jugular with their 10 man opponent on the ropes. Scoring five goals in each half, and right up the whistle in both periods, displays a hunger we could do with in the first team.

It’s also worth speculating that the players who have played in the first team recently during the injury crisis have benefited hugely from that experience and put what they’ve learned into action. A demonstration of the value of gradually integrating the young talent if ever there was one.

The side that did the business: Parish, Herd, Baker, Lowry, Lichaj, Hogg, Osbourne, Gardner, Stieber, Delfouneso, Weimann. Subs: Forrester (for Hogg, HT), Siegrist, Berry (for Stieber, 78), Deeney (for Gardner, 70), De La Cruz.

Chris Herd scored a hat-trick, Gardner, Weimann and Delfouneso grabbed a brace each while Jonathan Hogg made up the numbers.

Word is that Gerard Houllier was in attendance and young Gary Gardner caught the eye on his return from injury and could be knocking on the first team door himself before very long.

Eric Lichaj

And finally, Eric Lichaj was interviewed recently by The Shin Guardian and it’s a very interesting read that reveals a level headed, but ambitious young player.

Besides learning how we “scouted” him – something I’ve always been curious about – Eric also gives us this little gem which I’ll close with:-

TSG: Who’s the toughest attacker you’ve faced off with in the EPL?

Eric: He plays here. Probably Emile Heskey. A very good player.

TSG: Why?

Eric: It’s impossible to win the ball off him in the air. He’s really strong in his movements off the ball. He makes little movements, receives the ball and then he pumps the ball out quickly. He’s a very good player.

Head on over to The Shin Guardian for the full interview, it’s worth a read.

[Pics from Nike and AVFC]