Talented midfielder could make full debut for Championship club this evening in the first round of EFL Cup at Colchester United

Josh Onomah looks set to make his full debut for Aston Villa this evening in the English Football League Cup and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has challenged the youngster to take his chance on loan.

The Spurs boss has, in the past, preferred to keep the club’s best prospects training with the first-team at Hotspur Way over sending them out to gain experience in men’s football.

But after a stunning summer with England’s under-20s, Onomah wants to play week in, week out and Pochettino hopes he takes the opportunity.

He said: “Every six months we need to review every situation and Josh, after the under-20 World Cup, wants to play more and prove to himself that he can play.

“I see a lot of rumours about his position on the pitch and that he can play six or eight, seven, 10 or 11, but I don’t think that’s the problem.

“The problem is that he needs to prove that he can play and I think it is a great opportunity now at Aston Villa to prove himself and prove to everyone that he can learn and improve and will be useful for Tottenham.”

While many were disappointed to see the 20-year-old loaned out, a full campaign in the Championship may get the midfielder ready to play regularly for Spurs.

Onomah’s talent is clear to see, though the World Cup winner still has plenty to learn and should do that at Villa.

Tottenham have managed to tie down the youngster to a contract which runs until the end of the 2020/21 season, so he still has plenty of time to establish himself at the club.

Villa boss Steve Bruce heaped praise on Onomah’s ability this week and looks set to give him a first start at Colchester United in the first round of the EFL Cup tonight.

But another member of the successful England under-20 World Cup squad appears likely to get less minutes than his international and club team-mate this season.

Pochettino admitted after Saturday’s 2-0 friendly win over Juventus that Kyle Walker-Peters isn’t ready to play consistently for Tottenham just yet.

The versatile full-back featured in all of Spurs’ pre-season games in America and played over 45 minutes last weekend at Wembley Stadium.

However, if Trippier faces a spell on the sidelines following the ankle injury he suffered against the Old Lady, then Walker-Peters is unlikely to deputise.

Instead he will have to wait for opportunities in the EFL Cup and during the early rounds of the FA Cup rather than be thrust straight into Premier League and Champions League action.

“Kyle is very young. It is true that to think about and give him a big responsibility, if something was wrong with Kieran, is too much,” said Pochettino.

“He is a player that needs to work with us and start to play in different games, but we cannot think that if Kieran is weeks out of the team that Kyle can replace him.

“I think we are working (to get another right-back), but we were working before the Trippier injury happened and we have been trying to find a solution for different positions all over the pitch.”