Villa starlet Bogarde has sights set on Premier League bow

Lamare Bogarde is confident his Premier League debut for high-flying Aston Villa is just around the corner.

The Netherlands youth international, 20, is on the cusp of Villa's first-team squad having enjoyed a second successful loan stint with League One side Bristol Rovers earlier this season.

Though he knows competition for places is fierce, the versatile starlet remains optimistic of making his breakthrough at Villa Park.

Speaking exclusively to ex-England defender Joleon Lescott in the first episode of LiveScore's One To Watch interview series, Bogarde said: "At the start of this season, my goal was to make my Premier League debut. I think that's still possible.

"That's a short-term goal but also a long-term one. If it doesn't happen this season, I will keep pushing.

"The boss has told me I have to wait for my chances. He said they will come, so it's more a long-term view. I'm not rushing anything."

Signed from Feyenoord in 2020 after Villa had narrowly avoided relegation from the top flight, Bogarde has seen the club make rapid progress.

Things have gone to a whole new level under Unai Emery's tutelage, with the Villans in contention for a top-four finish this term.

And Bogarde is a big fan of the former Villarreal boss, who replaced Steven Gerrard in October 2022.

He said: "When [Unai] joined, it was a tough period because the previous manager had been sacked.

"Everyone really likes him. They've seen what he can do with this squad and he's brought some new players in who have done really well. He's a top manager."

With injuries mounting, Emery may turn to his younger players during the run-in.

But despite a lengthy list of senior absentees, Bogarde — the nephew of former Ajax, Barcelona and Chelsea defender Winston — is confident standards will not slip.

He added: "I said at the start of the season that this group can make the Champions League.

"I definitely thought we would finish top five. But now, I'm sure we'll be in the top four."

Keep an eye out for more exclusive content from Joleon Lescott's interview with Lamare Bogarde later this week.