Youth Cup no guarantee - Boss

[andy villa]

David O'Leary says FA Youth Cup success does not guarantee Villa a conveyor belt of young talent that will develop into first team players.

Villa are through to their second final in three seasons and will meet Middlesbrough who on Wednesday night disposed of Crewe in their semi-final.

But O'Leary, although a champion of giving youngsters who are good enough their chance at senior level, is wary of getting too carried away.

He has seen too many examples of potential rising stars lifting silverware but then having no end product in terms of becoming part of the first team set-up.

O'Leary said: "I am into youth development in a big way in terms of 'are they going to have a chance of getting into the first team?'

"But winning the FA Youth Cup can be misleading. In fact, I think it is the biggest misleading thing out.

"It is a great kudos thing for the club and great for the people who work with the youth team players.

"But you only have to look at the statistics. Many teams have won the FA Youth Cup and not one player has come through to the first team.

"Blackburn won the cup a couple of years ago and I don't think anyone has come through from that side.

"We've got some young players with potential but we'll see whether they are good enough. You won't know until you play them whether they are good enough.

"The chairman (Doug Ellis) is of the same opinion as me in that if you win the FA Youth Cup it doesn't mean you've got a conveyor belt of players for the first team."