Forget Buendia: AVFC can save millions in 20 y/o "real deal" who "skips past tackles" - opinion

Aston Villa winger Jaden Philogene-Bidace has impressed in the Championship thus far after joining Stoke City on loan in January for the rest of the season.

The 20-year-old has scored once in nine league appearances for a Potters side that have seen their form dramatically dip whilst the Englishman has been at the Bet365 Stadium, winning just three of their last 17 league matches.

However, according to SofaScore, the winger is currently averaging a 6.79 rating, a solid figure for the youngster’s first taste of regular first-team football.

Philogene-Bidace has experienced some first-team football for Villa this season though, receiving a brief cameo in the 2-0 Premier League win over Newcastle earlier this season whilst also appearing twice in the EFL Cup and briefly against Manchester United in the FA Cup.

There’s no doubt that manager Steven Gerrard rates the young winger and a strong end to the Championship season with Stoke could see the Englishman involved more frequently with the first-team next season.

Having spent heavily on forwards Danny Ings (£25m), Leon Bailey (£25m) and Emi Buendia (£38m) last summer, Aston Villa are still waiting to see any justification for these transfer fees.

Ings has netted five goals in what’s been a mixed campaign for the Englishman whilst wingers Bailey and Buendia have scored a combined three goals with the former facing numerous injury-related setbacks.

The Jamaica international has managed just four Premier League starts in claret and blue since his move from Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, giving the 24-year-old more of an excuse for his slow start to life at Villa Park.

As for Buendia, the Argentinian has made 28 appearances in all competitions, scoring just twice whilst