Aston Villa are reportedly expected to be presented with the opportunity to loan a player to fierce rivals Birmingham City.

The Premier League outfit are currently preparing for their first-ever campaign in the Champions League and will make notable additions to try to go deep in that competition.

However, that will have consequences for the players attempting to make their way in the academy system, Villa having already cashed in on Omari Kellyman who has joined Chelsea.

As it stands, there appears minimal chance of a fresh homegrown face being promoted up the pecking order in the short term, right-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden arguably having the best opportunity.

That will inevitably lead to a wide array of loan deals being facilitated, and it appears that one of them will be the most notable of the lot.

Birmingham interested in Barry

According to Football Insider, Birmingham have informed their Second City neighbours of their interest in Louie Barry.

The attacker has made just the one outing for Villa, famously scoring against Liverpool in the 2020-21 FA Cup when 10 of Villa's senior players were absent due to coronavirus-related reasons.

Since then, though, the former Barcelona starlet has failed to kick on, instead spending his development in the lower reaches of the EFL.

Loan spells have been spent at Ipswich Town, Swindon Town, MK Dons, Salford City and Stockport County, making a total of 95 appearances in all competitions.

Last season, the 21-year-old was part of the Stockport squad that won the League Two title, Barry contributing nine goals and four assists from his 20 outings in the fourth tier.

That return seems likely to earn him a chance in at least League One during 2024-25, whether that be at Birmingham or another promotion-chasing team.

Birmingham putting together fresh-looking squad

Blues have appointed Chris Davies - formerly of Tottenham Hotspur's backroom staff - as their new head coach on a long-term contract.

As it stands, goalkeepers Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Ryan Allsop, left-back Alex Cochrane, winger Emil Hansson and forward Alfie May have all made the move to St Andrew's.

Birmingham now hope that Barry will be the next player through the door, prepared to handle any negativity from either club's fanbase should they get a deal over the line. body check tags ::