‘Set to sign…’ – John Percy says Aston Villa player will complete exit today, medical scheduled
Kesler-Hayden Set for Aston Villa Departure as Coventry City Seal Deal for Promising Right-Back
Aston Villa are on the verge of bidding farewell to one of their highly regarded academy graduates, with young right-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden reportedly on the brink of completing a permanent transfer to Coventry City. The move comes as part of Coventry’s efforts to strengthen their defensive options ahead of the upcoming Championship season, and signals the end of a long chapter in Kesler-Hayden’s development journey at Villa Park.
The 21-year-old, who was born in Birmingham, first joined Villa’s youth academy at a young age and steadily worked his way through the ranks. His talent and work ethic saw him earn multiple loan spells over the past few seasons, giving him a taste of senior football across various levels of the English Football League. Kesler-Hayden made his professional debut during a loan stint with Swindon Town in the 2020/21 season, where he quickly caught attention for his pace, energy, and technical quality down the right flank.
He followed up that experience with further loan spells at MK Dons, Huddersfield Town, and Plymouth Argyle, showcasing consistent improvement in his defensive and attacking contributions. However, it was his most recent campaign with Preston North End during the 2023/24 season that truly elevated his profile. His performances at Deepdale earned him Preston’s Player of the Year award, as he became an instrumental figure in their setup, combining athleticism with maturity well beyond his years.
That breakthrough campaign did not go unnoticed. A number of clubs reportedly showed interest in the dynamic full-back, but it is Coventry City who have moved quickly and decisively. According to journalist John Percy of The Telegraph, Coventry have reached a full agreement with Aston Villa to bring Kesler-Hayden to the CBS Arena in a deal understood to be worth around £3.5 million. The transfer will see the defender remain in the Championship, a league he already knows well, and a medical is scheduled to take place on Monday, finalising his switch.
Though Kesler-Hayden made just five senior appearances for Aston Villa, including a Premier League debut in March 2024, he was long considered a promising talent within the club’s academy. Villa fans will fondly remember his involvement in the dramatic FA Cup third-round tie against Liverpool in January 2021, where the club was forced to field an entire youth team due to a COVID-19 outbreak among the first-team squad. The match saw Kesler-Hayden, alongside other emerging prospects like Lamare Bogarde, Ben Chrisene, and Louie Barry, make his senior debut under extraordinary circumstances.
Unfortunately for the young defender, breaking into Villa’s first team proved to be a formidable challenge, especially given the presence of established right-backs like Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, and Andres Garcia, as well as the emergence of Lamare Bogarde and the loan acquisition of Kosta Nedeljkovic. With competition fierce and first-team opportunities limited, a permanent move was deemed the best route forward for his career progression.
Now, with the move to Coventry looming, Kesler-Hayden will be eager to take the next step in his professional journey. The Sky Blues, who narrowly missed out on promotion last season, are hopeful that his arrival will bolster their squad as they aim for another push toward the Premier League. For the player, it’s a chance to establish himself as a mainstay in senior football and prove that he belongs at the highest level.
As he prepares to say goodbye to the club where his footballing dreams began, Villa fans will surely wish him the best—knowing that his journey is only just beginning.