Indy gets ready to crack whip as he pens fresh deal
AFTER making just four appearances under Dean Smith for Villa, Indiana Vassilev has pledged his short-term future to the club, committing to a two-year development deal that will tie the forward to the club until he is 21.
The teenage workhorse is the product of determination. He has shown brilliant technical ability in his time at the Bodymoor Heath academy, but it is a singular focus on his goal that truly sets him apart.
Now, Vassilev believes committing to the positive environment cultivated by Smith is key to his progression.
“It was a no-brainer for me. This past year the club have supported me a lot and, thankfully, I’ve been able to break into the first team,” he said.
“Since I’ve done that, I’ve received a lot of support from staff and players included. I’m really, really happy to have signed for another two years. I’ve got to keep working hard and hopefully the future will hold a lot of great things.
“It’s a massive club with great support and I want to be comfortable in the environment I’m playing in. The gaffer, the staff, all the players – they made me feel very welcome.
“It was a combination of the club’s history, the club itself, the players and staff making me feel welcome. It wasn’t really a difficult decision.”
While footballers have been staying at home, a return to schedule is now on the cards and Vassilev hopes he can develop further, push forward and build on his promise. The American has earned a number of call-ups to the national youth sides with a view to a senior call-up, which will put him on the same path as former Villans Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan and Eric Lichaj.
“It’s a great honour to represent your country at any age level. When that time comes, I will be ready. There’s no other feeling like representing your country,” said Vassilev.
Vassilev has attracted considerable interest due to his name – and while his footballing abilities did put him on the radar of the Bulgarian international set-up (a call he rejected), it’s “Indiana” that whips up discussion.
“You can call me Indy, that’s what everybody calls me. Indiana is a bit long!” said the youngster, who is named after the popular film character Indiana Jones.
Vassilev made his first-team debut in the FA Cup defeat at Fulham in January, but did enough to ensure he was picked during Villa’s “striker crisis” following injuries to Keinan Davis and Wesley.
He appeared against Leicester in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg and featured at Brighton, where his curved run allowed Jack Grealish to slip in behind the defence to score a stunning equaliser. He also came on as a substitute against Watford and impressed, almost scoring with a header.
“It was difficult,’’ said Vassilev, of his promising run in the first team. “I’m not going to say it was a smooth or easy transition. I was a young player going into a very experienced squad.
“You take it on a day-to-day basis and, slowly, you find your way. That starts on the training ground, you have to give 100 per cent every day and over time you gain the respect of the team. It was not easy.
“It was like an absolute blur and I didn’t have time to process it all. It was done in a span of three weeks, I played three different competitions.
“In February it started to sink in and was a very enjoyable moment. It’s a high of my career so far and there’s a lot of hard work still to be done. I want to get better and better.
“Great experiences and I’ll remember them forever. I’m itching to get back out there.”
Vassilev had to attract the attention of Smith and his assistants Richard O’Kelly and John Terry on the training pitch.
“It’s no good to show up for training just to go through the motions and expect to be in the matchday squad,” he said.
“All the coaching staff have demands, but he (Smith) demands the most out of you every single day. It’s a good trait of his. He’s able to get the most from his players in training and games.”
Villa Under-23s’ manager Mark Delaney has also made a large impression on the rookie.
“He’s another coach you want to play for and you want to give everything for,’’ said Vassilev.
“He gets a lot out of every player. I was playing a lot as an attacking midfielder and I got moved to centre-forward.
“He made that decision and it was not a bad one! He’s been good to look up to and learn from.”