Iling-Junior explains Bologna transfer from Aston Villa, praises Allegri and Emery | OneFootball

Samuel Iling-Junior thanks his former Juventus coach, Massimiliano Allegri, but admits he didn’t have enough space at Aston Villa, so after less than two months in Birmingham, he joined Bologna on loan.

The 20-year-old was sold by Juventus to Aston Villa last summer as part of a deal that saw midfielder Douglas Luiz move in the opposite direction. However, the English winger didn’t even have the time to make his competitive debut with the Premier League outfit as he was dispatched back to Italy, with Bologna signing him on loan.

In his unveiling press conference with the Rossoblu on Wednesday, Iling-Junior said he appreciated “the honesty” of Aston Villa manager Unai Emery and decided to move to a team where he could get more playing time.

Bologna’s Iling-Junior: ‘There was no room for me at Aston Villa’

“I did all the pre-season at Aston Villa, and I also played some games, then I talked with coach [Unai Emery] and I realised there wouldn’t be much room for me and since I appreciate honesty, I preferred to look for a team where I could get more chances,” Iling-Junior said, as quoted by Tuttosport.

“There’s a nice project here at Bologna, as I had already witnessed last season.

“Back in the summer, I moved to Aston Villa, then got an offer from Bologna, a city I like with a coach I appreciate, so I decided to come here.”

After playing for Chelsea until 2020, Iling-Junior joined Juventus’ youth ranks and earned his competitive debut in 2022 under Massimiliano Allegri, a coach he still remembers fondly.

“I have to thank Allegri a lot, he helped me understand the defensive phase,” he added.

“With coach Italiano we always put a lot of energy on the pitch, this is the football I love.”

The Englishman already played in the Champions League for Bologna, coming on as a substitute during a 0-0 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk in their debut match last week.

Ironically, Liverpool and Aston Villa are also on the list of opponents the Rossoblu will face in the new expanded group phase.

“The emotions felt in the Champions League are always unique, it was nice [to make my debut],” said the winger.

“Playing at Anfield is always an indescribable emotion. To me, as an Englishman, it means a lot because I have the opportunity to put myself on show”.

Iling-Junior’s impact at Bologna was immediately felt. He made his Serie A debut by coming on in the second half against Como and scoring late to salvage a 2-2 draw.