Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba spoke of the excitement and motivation within the Aston Villa camp, as Jimmy Shan’s Young Lions prepare for next week’s FA Youth Cup final.
Villa’s under-18s take on Manchester City at Villa Park on Bank Holiday Monday (ko 3pm), where they will look to lift the trophy for the fifth time in the club’s history.
The young forward discussed the magnitude of the game at academy level, and the opportunity it represents for he and his teammates.
“There’s a lot of excitement around the group,” he said.
“It’s the main point towards the end of the season. You want to be winning trophies, so the boys are really excited. It’ll be a good opportunity for everyone.
“Everyone is really motivated. This is an opportunity to lift a trophy, so if you’re not motivated, you’re probably in the wrong sport.
“There’s a lot of excitement (and) motivation around the group, and we just can’t wait to get going.
“We know there’s going to be a challenge but I think we’re all ready for it, and we just really want to lift the trophy.”
With over 10,000 supporters already set to be in attendance in B6, and tickets still on sale, Jimoh-Aloba is looking forward to what promises to be an enjoyable atmosphere at Villa Park.
He revealed conversations he has held with former Youth Cup champion Lamare Bogarde, and how these have inspired him further to emulate Villa’s 2021 success for the future generations which will follow him.
The 18-year-old – who made his first team debut in September before signing a new long-term contract a month later – added: “There’s been a few murmurs about how many tickets have been sold already within the group.
“I think everyone’s really excited to play in front of a big crowd at Villa Park. It will be good.
“I’ve been speaking to people like Lammy (Bogarde) who were in the team that won it last time. We’ve just been talking about how it felt to win it, and how they did win it.
“It’s just a bit of added motivation, so it’ll be really good for us to go ahead and do it.
“It’s a big thing for the academy. It’s one of the biggest trophies you can win as an English academy.
“I think the main thing for us is to be an inspiration to the younger ones, like how I mentioned Lammy was able to talk about them winning it.
“For me, I feel like that would be a good position to be in, for me to be able to speak to the younger ones on how I was able to win it.”
Watch Jimoh-Aloba's interview in full and secure your tickets for the FA Youth Cup final by clicking below.
Aston Villa v Man City
FA Youth Cup Final
