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The team news is out for Blackpool v Aston Villa U21s in the EFL League Trophy.
Dan Sassi returned from his loan from Rochdale in November and slots straight in to the starting 11, as he makes his debut. The 21-year-old initially signed a two-month deal with the National League outfit, but a hamstring injury sidelined him, however he has since recovered. Sassi joined Blackpool from Burnley in January 2024, but hasn’t made a competitive appearance up until now.
Hayden Coulson who had been out for the last couple of weeks with a quad injury returns to the side. There are 11 changes in total from the side which won 3-0 against Reading at the weekend.
Josh Onomah has a hip problem, and was forced off against the Royals in the 41st minute at the weekend, so he doesn’t feature. Odeluga Offiah isn’t in the squad as he has already played for Brighton & Hove Albion in the competition.
Terry Bondo has been given his first start for Blackpool’s first-team.Terry Bondo has been given his first start for Blackpool’s first-team.
Terry Bondo has been given his first start for Blackpool’s first-team.
Academy forward Terry Bondo gets his first start having been a substitute against Liverpool and Harrogate Town. To date, the 17-year-old has made five competitive appearances. Youngsters Oluchi Nwankwo and Jack Richardson are among the substitutes.
Richardson is a midfielder and was described as a 'very quick' and 'direct' wide player, he joined the club at under-9's level. Nwankwo joined the under-15s team and has been described as a 'physically commanding' centre-back.
It looks like it could be a 4-4-2 formation with Lawrence-Gabriel and Dominic Thompson as full-backs with Dan Sassi and Zac Ashworth in the centre. Elliot Embleton and Hayden Coulson are on both flanks with Ryan Finnigan and Oliver Norburn in the centre. Jordan Rhodes will be partnered by Bondo.
Blackpool v Aston Villa team news
Here are the two teams in full.
Blackpool XI: O'Donnell, Gabriel, Norburn, Embleton, Coulson, Rhodes, Thompson, Ashworth, Finnigan, Sassi, and Bondo.
Blackpool Subs: Tyrer, Pennington, Morgan, Fletcher, Ballard, Nwankwo, and Richardson.
Aston Villa XI: Zych, Rowe, Smith, Swinkels, Patterson, Pierre, Alcock (C), Borland, Broggio, Jimoh-Aloba, and Burrowes.
Aston Villa subs: Emery, Taylor, Amundsen-Day, Khedr, Hemmings, Cotcher, and Lynch.
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