Aston Villa Football Club is pushing into the Indian football market by building what is expected to be the first of many new academy facilities in the nation.
The first development in the capital New Delhi will include a 3G pitch, offices, changing rooms, a gym and classrooms, while coaches will be trained to work in state schools and work with children from the age of five upwards.
Tony Xia, who recently acquired the Championship club, said he was keen for “talented Indian footballers” to attend the Aston Villa’s Bodymoor Heath academy and eventually play for the first team, adding that he wants to launch academies “all over India”.
Land for the facility has been provided by the municipal council following discussions between Xia and the Indian minister of sport Vijay Goel and minister of education Prakesh Javedekar.
Aston Villa becomes the latest club to eye Indian growth potential, following in the footsteps of
Liverpool Football Club which has established its own academy in Pune.
However, the Birmingham-based club is also keen on the professional game in India and will launch a club to play in the Indian Super League.
