We’re six hours away from the state-of-the-art facilities at Aston Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training ground where two of the club’s 2021 Youth Cup winners are embarking on adventures that will help define their career.
Brad Young, a south-west Scottish player, has scored for Ayr united in a 5-0 victory over Queens Park.
He’s deeply invested in this important loan move and has made only one trip back to Birmingham — to collect his dog, an American XL Bully named Chanelle — since leaving Villa on September 1.
Last season’s temporary switch to Carlisle United taught Young how to cook, clean and fend for himself but sharing a clubhouse with a group of team-mates during that loan was difficult for the striker.
Now, in his own apartment and with Chanelle, who he takes for daily beach walks, beside him, there’s a laser focus on the task at hand as life away from the privileged academy upbringing at Villa sets in.
“When you’re enjoying your life off the field, it’s easier to play,” Young tells The Athletic at Somerset Park after scoring one (it should have been two as he got the final touch on the opening goal) and setting up another.
“I’m really happy, but I wasn’t at Carlisle.
“I’m loving the challenge here and it’s all about getting goals and assists now.”
Near Rugby Park, where the wind is blowing and the rain is falling, Ben Chrisene also performs well for Kilmarnock’s Scottish Premiership side, managed by Derek McInnes.
The left-back at 18 years old has played seven games consecutively and is now a strong stopper.
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