Former player Eric Lichaj

[leviramsey]

UNC alumni (can you be alumni even though you didnt graduate?). Theres hope for a few more of these lads over here yet.

There is some serious players over here guys......

The Villa may need to find a source of inexpensive (free transfer!) players neglected by other top clubs. American universities may well be such a source.

[Kiwivillan]

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 love him. Not completely polished but has the look of a complete psycho. Not a bad thing for a defender.

[Gompedyret]

Good going. Now tie down Delfouneso and Albrighton for at least five years, please.

[dudevillaisnice]

Luke Young has paid tribute to Eric Lichaj after the starlet right-back received his first senior international call-up for USA.

Young has been thoroughly impressed with the young defender's attitude and application in training for Villa.

The former England right-back has backed Lichaj to put pressure on all the defensive aces in the claret and blue line-up as he attempts to break into Gerard Houllier's team.

Lichaj has made it into Bob Bradley's 20-man squad for the clash with Poland at Chicago's Soldier Field on Saturday October 9.

Ironically, Lichaj was also eliigible for Poland and was called up by their FA at the same time but he opted for America.

The game also takes place in his home state of Chicago, with the dynamic defender having joined Villa from Chicago Fire.

Three days later, the USA host South American side Colombia on October 12 at PPL Park in Chester.

Young believes his selection is thoroughly merited.

Young said: "I spoke to Eric when I found out he'd received the call-up and I just congratulated him and told him to enjoy it.

"It's against Poland and he can play for either of them but he's chosen the USA this time.

"He's a lad who works really hard in training and always gives it everything he's got.

"He's strong, he's quick and he wants to learn. He'll definitely be pushing everyone at the back for a place.

"His attitude is spot-on - he thoroughly deserves everything he gets."

Fellow youngster Marc Albrighton also revealed his delight at Lichaj's call-up, insisting the recognition is well-deserved.

He added: "I am delighted for him. It's unbelievable.

"He received a call-up from Poland and USA at the same time and it's no more than he deserved.

"He's been fantastic for the reserves over the last few years and now he's proving himself at first team level.

"It's great for him and the game is in his home state as well so I am sure he's looking forward to it.

"It would be great if he could go out and get a game.

"He's been a great player from the moment he arrived at Villa but each week he learns more and more. It's brilliant."

It's not Lichaj's first taste of senior involvement, however. He took part in the team's World Cup training camp in June prior to their final round qualifiers against Costa Rica and Honduras.

http://tinyurl.com/2wyqwos

[Harry]

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

I think that was just bullshit. He had been frozen out by MON and wanted out. If he was that homesick for London why was he going to sign for Liverpool in the summer?

Back on topic, I don't think that Lichaj is outstanding but he is a solid player and a good shout as a back up RB to Young. Beye seems to be nowhere near the first team so I think it will be him who is off in January.

[Harry]

Sorry just realised when Ulver made his post Young may not have been off to Liverpool - apologies!! But I do think the homesick talk was BS and for some reason MON had fallen out with hime

[avid_1977]

Seen him play a few times, never stood out to me and was a tad surprised to hear this news today. Good luck to the lad and I really hope he proves me wrong, but I cant see him making any waves soon. UTV

[dudevillaisnice]

Nice article (Good Read!) :

When Eric Lichaj and his brothers were little, their father would take them to soccer games at Soldier Field, the boys wearing jerseys from their parents' native Poland or those of Peter Nowak and the Chicago Fire's other Polish players.

The Lichaj family will be back at Soldier Field on Saturday night for the U.S. exhibition against Poland, part of the early preparations for the 2014 World Cup. This time, though, they'll be in U.S. jerseys -- preferably ones with Eric's name and number on the back.

The 21-year-old defender couldn't have scripted a better scenario for his first call-up to the senior national team: in his hometown, against the country where both of his parents were born.

Born near Nowy Targ, a city about 50 miles south of Krakow, Ann and Stan Lichaj (LEE-high) both came to the United States before they were teenagers, settling in Chicago. Stan had played soccer in Poland -- "That was a big thing; we played soccer in the summer and hockey in the wintertime" -- and he continued after moving to the United States.

When Ann and Stan had kids of their own, Stan passed the game along. By the time Eric was old enough to play, Stan was coaching his older two sons.

"It was a lot easier for him to play up with his older brothers," Stan Lichaj said. "Rather than go to an extra game, it was a lot easier for me to coach one team and have him play on his older brothers' team. He would observe -- watch, watch, watch -- and then play. And they played a lot."

At 14, Lichaj joined the residency program in Bradenton, Fla., and helped the U.S. qualify for the FIFA Under-17 World Championship in 2005. He signed with the University of North Carolina, but missed what would have been his freshman season with a broken foot.

Instead of staying at Carolina, Lichaj made an unusual move: He went to Europe, signing with Aston Villa. As a dual citizen of the United States and Poland, he didn't need the work permit that so often closes off opportunities to young Americans with little experience.

"When I was with the under-17 national team, my agent now brought me over to trials in England," Lichaj said. "I just liked it there and, ever since I went to my first trial, I wanted to make it there."

Villa has brought the 5-foot-11 defender along slowly. He played with the reserves his first season, then was loaned to Lincoln City of League Two, the fourth tier of England's professional leagues. He moved up to Leyton Orient of League One last spring, and scored his first professional goal April 17 against Stockport.

Finally, on Aug. 19, he made his debut with Aston Villa's first team, playing at Rapid Vienna in a Europa League qualifier.

"The first year I was there, I came in and broke my foot again -- the other foot. That first year wasn't very good for me because I was in recovery and I didn't have full fitness basically the whole season," Lichaj said. "After that first season, I've been happy. I've been steadily going up and up.

"Hopefully, I'll just keep progressing."

Villa has faith he will. It signed him to a new, three-year contract in August, and new manager Gerard Houllier included the young American in the lineup for his first game in charge, a 3-1 win over Blackburn in the League Cup on Sept. 22.

"He's a lad who works really hard in training and always gives it everything he's got," veteran Villa defender Luke Young said on the club's website. "He's strong, he's quick and he wants to learn. He'll definitely be pushing everyone at the back for a place."

He hopes to do the same for the United States.

Though Steve Cherundolo seems ageless and Carlos Bocanegra was mostly solid, the backline had mixed results at the World Cup in South Africa and will likely have to be rebuilt before the next World Cup, in Brazil. Cherundolo, Bocanegra and Jay DeMerit all are or will be 31 this year. Oguchi Onyewu continues to recovery from his devastating knee injury last year. And holdovers Jonathan Bornstein and Jonathan Spector have been erratic, creating openings that could be filled by prospects such as Lichaj, Clarence Goodson, Chad Marshall, Omar Gonzalez, Kevin Alston, Tim Ream, Ike Opara and Gale Agbossoumonde.

A guest at the U.S. training camp ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Honduras last year, this week was Lichaj's first full call-up. In addition to Saturday's game, the U.S. plays Colombia on Tuesday in Chester, Pa.

"Just overall progression," Lichaj said of his goals. "That's how I've been going the last couple of years, progressing."

Because he has a Polish passport, Lichaj could have been on the other side of the field Saturday. But neither he -- nor his family -- would have it any other way.

"That's my goal for the next World Cup," Lichaj said, "to get a starting spot for the U.S. team."

http://tinyurl.com/2fvjddk

[theunderstudy]

I've been impressed with Lichaj actually. He is only 21, so he's still got a lot to learn, the fact the USA have called him up shows something really. I mean Albrighton's 20, and he won't get in the England squad for another 4 years (would be greatly lessened if he played for the Sky4/London Media Favourite.) So its not really "sink or swim" is it?

[Dom_Wren]

He was mustard tonight against Colombia in 45 mins for the US national team, Best player on the pitch second half which he came in.

[BOF]

Good to hear Dom. So he influenced the game from right back?

[BOF]

Aston Villa Fullback Eric Lichaj Unfazed On USA Debut

Aston Villa Fullback Eric Lichaj Unfazed On USA Debut

Eric Lichaj made his international debut against Colombia on Tuesday, coming into the match at halftime of the 0-0 draw.

The Aston Villa fullback bedded in immediately, rampaging up and down the right flank and creating the best chance of the game when his arching cross found the head of Jozy Altidore in the box.

After a 45-minute run-out, the 21-year-old refused to discuss his personal contribution to the game, focusing instead on the team's overall performance.

“It doesn't really matter about individual performances if you don't win the game,” Lichaj told reporters following the match. “It would have been better if we had played better as a team.”

Part of the reason Lichaj wasn't intimidated was that he is more accustomed to larger crowds in England. Only 8,823 filed into PPL Park to view the weekday friendly.

“No. No nerves,” Lichaj maintained. “There wasn't barely any people in the crowd compared to what I'm used to, so I had no nerves -- just enjoyed it.

“It was a bit slower than what I was used to in England, so it wasn't very hard to adapt to.”

The performance caught the eye of coach Bob Bradley, who has struggled to find capable U.S. fullbacks throughout his tenure, often shoving captain Carlos Bocanegra to the left to help compensate for the lack of options.

“We've seen throughout this camp that physically he's got a good burst of speed, he's strong, and I though he came in and competed very well in the second half,” Bradley said in his post-match press conference.

[theunderstudy]

Good stuff

[Morkery]

unfortunately Bradley added this "despite the positive showing, Eric is 21, which I'm afraid means that he is no longer a prospect. I wish him all the best in whatever career he pursues. Age is on his side"

[ChrisNichollsToe]

Watched him pre season, and said then he looked like one to watch break into the first team this season. Over the last 12 monthes, hes improved immensly. He can also play left back aswell, so gives us the option of pushing Warnock into Midfield, if needed.

[Dom_Wren]

Good to hear Dom. So he influenced the game from right back?

What he did very well Bri was play high up the field, he was always available when the center mids or forwards wanted to switch the point of attack, and when he got the ball he was very direct in 'taking his space'.

He looked fit as a fiddle, and was up and down the line with tenacity and verve. He got beat once on the defensive end, when he got caught a little too high up the pitch but very nearly recovered to block the cross.

In fact the best goalscoring opprtunity came form a lovely first time whipped Beckhamesque cross that Altidore should have buried.

Ive not seen much of him since peace cup, and know it was only a friendly, but hes much improved.

[TheTransferWindow]

Altidore should have scored on Eric's cross, he served it in at the perfect height for him but Altidore hit it right at the keeper.

[villanesque]

Eric was the highlight of that dreadful match. I'm glad I was able to awake from my boredom induced coma to watch the second half. Eric was fantastic going forward then tracking back. He showed his speed and solid decision making. The cross to Altidore was fantastic. An accomplished striker would have buried that gem in the back of the net. Eric was poised and focused. A real good display from the Aston Villa man.

[bred]

Eric did solid and **** Philly for not selling out the stadium. Embarrassing.

[TheSufferingVilla]

Eric did solid and **** Philly for not selling out the stadium. Embarrassing.

They were too busy spitting and vomiting on kids in the car park to bother entering the stadium.