Steven Gerrard has been busy recruiting the likes of Philippe Coutinho this summer and is planning further signings but the Aston Villa manager admits the form of some of the club's starlets could change his pecking order.
Gerrard and Villa watched on with pride last week as England U19s beat Israel 3-1 after extra-time to be crowned U19 EURO winners in Slovakia. Academy graduates Carney Chukwuemeka and Aaron Ramsey scored, while Tim Iroegbunam came off the bench.
The result saw England win for a second time, following on from 2017’s victory in Georgia, when the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Mason Mount, Ryan Sessegnon and Reece James were in the squad which beat Portugal.
Now Villa fans want to know what they can expect to see from their youngsters in the near future.
Carney Chukwuemeka
The attacking ace,18, is yet to sign a new contract with Villa but has made two starts in 14 Premier League appearances. He underlined his precious ability in England's U19 success to follow on from helping Villa win the FA Youth Cup in 2020/2021.
Described as a real technician in midfield, he was born in Austria, but grew up in Northampton and joined Villa’s academy at the age of 12 before working his way into the first team under Gerrard.
Liverpool legend Gerrard assessed this week: "I think I have shown in a short time that age is just a number. If you are good enough and you deserve an opportunity, I will have no qualms about putting you in.
“Even if that means pushing someone who has more experience to the side. We need to play the best players and the players who are proving on a daily basis that they deserve game-time. I will continue to have that mentality from a managerial point of view.
“I am slightly biased because I came through an academy system myself. I know what it feels like to achieve your dream and how proud you can make your family. These are all local boys and I know what that opportunity means.”
Aaron Ramsey
Ramsey will be looking to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Jacob into the Aston Villa first-team and England U21s after his success with the U19s.
Jacob played 34 Premier League games for Villa last season and scored six goals.
Aaron, 19, is yet to play in the top-flight for Villa after a sole sub appearance in the League Cup but the midfielder came off the bench against Israel for Jamie Bynoe-Gittens in the 58th minute and notched to make it 3-1 late on.
He said: "I don’t think you can get a much better role model than your brother who is out there and doing it.
"I look forward to seeing him play and I watch his games all the time. I am so happy about what he is doing and hopefully, I can be on the pitch alongside him soon."
Tim Iroegbunam
The midfielder grew up in Sutton Coldfield before joining West Bromwich Albion’s academy and then switching to Midlands rivals Villa. After breaking into their first-team squad last season, he was called into the England U19s squad in 2022.
Iroegbunam, who turned 19 last week, has started once in the Premier League for Villa and made two substitute appearances but could now be set for more after being part of Ian Foster’s successful U19 squad.
Villa boss Gerrard said: “I was in contact with them through messages, wishing them good luck for certain games. There was a birthday in amongst it as well.
“I must say congratulations to Ian Foster and his staff as well and the team. I thought they did a fantastic job.
“I watched some of the games and I was really proud with the performances of our individuals. They certainly did it from a team point of view and played really well but our boys contributed to that achievement. I hope they are really proud of themselves and we are really proud of them as Villa. We are hoping from that experience they become better individuals.”
