Aston Villa academy manager Harrison explains loan roles for Henshall and Jedinak | OneFootball

Aston Villa academy manager Mark Harrison has detailed the roles of loan chiefs Adam Henshall and Mile Jedinak.

Henshall, who is Head of Emerging Talent and Loans, and Loan Player Development Coach Jedinak took up their roles at the same time in March 2021.

In the first instance, clubs often approach Villa about a player, but the club also circulate a list of available players. Once approaches are made, Academy staff and key personnel from around the club can analyse the best fit for a player based on detailed information they've acquired about that individual and the club in question.

Harrison told Villa's website: “This is where Adam Henshall is really good. He'll have a profile of every club and their manager, looking at their playing style and what the statistical data shows about that playing style."

He added: “We profile the players technically, tactically, physically and socially. Ideally, we look to see if we can tailor a loan around their needs.

“There's constant dialogue, communication and interaction between us as we all work together to profile and try to plot out the players' journeys."

Once the deals are agreed, papers are signed and club announcements published, Jedinak takes a prominent role in overseeing each loan spell and keeping tabs on the player.

Harrison said: “Over the last few months, he's (Jedinak) gone to a number of the clubs to sit down with the staff there, have a look at the facilities, sit down with the player and see them in that environment. That's a really important part of the process and a powerful part of what we do to gather the relevant information."

“It's important to recognise both Adam and Mile," he continued.

“Adam will be the first point of call with the clubs and to agree the loans, making sure they're structured correctly. Once the player has joined the club, Mile will be the first point of call.

“To have someone like Mile, with his vast experience of playing in the game and his life experiences, bodes really well. Over the last 18 months, he's really got a much deeper understanding of what the journey looks like and the processes that we have to go through.

“He's a fantastic person for the players to have as a mentor. With Mile's status in the game, when he picks up the phone to managers and coaches, you know you'll always get an opportunity to speak to them because he's very well respected."