Manager issues exciting verdict on ‘fearless’ Aston Villa youngster

Aston Villa youngster Kaine Kesler-Hayden is making great strides during his loan spell at MK Dons.

Having spent the first half of the season in League Two with Swindon Town, the right-sided defender linked up MK in January and could be celebrating promotion later this month. Kesler-Hayden has become a regular fixture in a Dons side which has moved into automatic promotion contention in League One. Ahead of the Easter weekend, MK are second in the table, three points ahead of third-place Rotherham United, who have two games in hand. Only the top two go up automatically.

The 19-year-old was initially rotated in the right wing-back position, but an injury Peter Kioso has meant a run of games in the side. So far, he has made 11 appearances for the Dons, adding to his 21 for Swindon. Kesler-Hayden is playing under head coach Liam Manning – a former U23 coach at West Ham United – who has built a vibrant young side at Stadium MK.

“This is his first season in professional football. He did well in League Two and, since coming here, he has progressively got better,” said Manning reported the MK Citizen.

“He has a huge amount to get better at and improve upon but he has so many positive aspects to his game - his fearlessness, how quick he is, his desire, his energy. He has so many positive attributes but I want to see him get even better. He has to turn potential into performance. He is such a good character, and he has done really well.”

Meanwhile, teammate Josh McEachran says he “loves” being in the same team as Kesler-Hayden.

“He excites everyone: us and the fans. He can lose the ball three or four times but it doesn't faze him, he just keeps on it. I love that about him, and I love playing with him,” said McEachran.

“He’s a