Rob182 Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Official SiteEric Lichaj hopes to forge a successful career for club and country after penning a new three-year contract at Villa.The American full-back has extended his stay at Villa Park after a series of classy displays during pre-season.Now he has set himself a double target - breaking into Villa's first team and earning a call-up for the USA national side."I'm delighted to be staying at a great club," he said. "I now have a better opportunity to get into the first team."Hopefully I can help the team to get better than sixth, where they have finished in the past couple of years, But we'll just have to wait and see."Hopefully when I start playing here I can get into the USA team. That would be nice."Lichaj got his first taste of senior football last term, with loan spells at Lincoln City and Leyton Orient.He made a handful of appearances for both clubs and scored his first league goal for Orient against Stockport County in April.It followed on from his role in Villa's Peace Cup triumph last season, when he shone against the likes of Juventus and Porto in the Spanish tournament.The 21-year-old was snapped up by Villa in 2007 after a successful trial. He had already impressed for the USA at under-17s level.Since then, Lichaj has starred for the club's youth team and in three consecutive Reserve League South triumphs."My first year, I came in injured and wasn't very good but since then I have been progressing very well," Lichaj added."Hopefully everything will get better and, with this contract, everything is looking up."I'm a hard worker and the coaches here incorporate that - they want everyone to work hard."When I first came, I found the pace of the way the English players play was a bit different to in the USA."But I have adapted to that now and will hopefully forge a career here for as long as possible."Encouraging comments from him. I've only seen him in pre-season and reserve games and, to be honest, he's never stood out as amazing. But I hope he cracks on and can become a solid full-back for us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudevillaisnice Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Interesting, like you said he might become a cracking player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOTTI-THE-GOD Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 YAYYYYYYY something positive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieB Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 He's a RB too isn't he? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCU Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 He's a RB too isn't he? Yep with a bloody long throw! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon_c Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Who signs a players contract from the clubs side? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOTTI-THE-GOD Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Faulkner now i believe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieB Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Does this mean...we might JUST see a RB playing in the RB position on Saturday??!!! I meant Luke Young of couse.. but nice to now have two.. And Lichaj has looked good pre-season too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villabromsgrove Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Faulkner now i believe"But when you said keep that right back Bob, I thought you meant the american one." :? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilbertoAVFC Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Great news, indicates real faith in our young players, which is always brilliant to see. UTV! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PompeyVillan Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Not seen much of him, but I've not been impressed when I have. I don't think he'll make it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulver Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Too old at 21 to be considered a prospect anymore, he'll either sink or swim this season like a few of the young guns. He seems reliable enough, and like most full backs doesnt stand out or particularly catch the eye. Especially in a side that plays with 2 widemen who don't rely on marauding fullbacks. Good luck to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PompeyVillan Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 This indicates to me that we're expecting to sell either Luke Young or Habib Beye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauloBarnesi Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Does this mean...we might JUST see a RB playing in the RB position on Saturday??!!! I meant Luke Young of couse.. but nice to now have two.. And Lichaj has looked good pre-season too I believe Habib Beye is a right back, so that makes three Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Majkee Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Lichaj can replace Beye just right now! There are not any differences between them in the favour of Beye. :!: and Lichaj is far cheaper version of Beye obviously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulver Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Why do people assume Luke Young's desire to move back to London has just dissappeared ? The rumour was he was home sick and really wanted to move back to be closer to his family. Can't see how thats changed overnight unless it was just bullshit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villabromsgrove Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Lichaj can replace Beye just right now! There are not any differences between them in the favour of Beye. :!: and Lichaj is far cheaper version of Beye obviously.Is that you Randy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nabby Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Why do people assume Luke Young's desire to move back to London has just dissappeared ? The rumour was he was home sick and really wanted to move back to be closer to his family. Can't see how thats changed overnight unless it was just bullshit Perhaps homesick meant MONsick ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudevillaisnice Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 ^^ LOL! if players want to leave i think its best we give them options... . Get all the bad news out the way whilst we still can imo. then hopefully the good news will start with ireland...we can hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted August 11, 2010 Moderator Share Posted August 11, 2010 Why do people assume Luke Young's desire to move back to London has just dissappeared ? The rumour was he was home sick and really wanted to move back to be closer to his family. Can't see how thats changed overnight unless it was just bullshit That's a possibility. It's more diplomatic than saying 'I had a falling out with the manager, he has made my life difficult ever since and I don't like the man so I want to leave'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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