Aston Villa Academy 2025–26 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
The Aston Villa FC runs a category 1 academy based in the Midlands.
- Academy Manager: Mark Harrison
- Under-21 Head Coach: Jimmy Shan
- Under-18 Lead Coach: Richard Beale
Aston Villa Scholars 2024/25
The latest intake of scholars to join the Aston Villa Academy’s Under-18 squad.
- Rhys Oakley (Goalkeeper)
- Theo Houston (Goalkeeper)
- Finlay Barnard (Defender)
- Harry Pinnell (Defender)
- Clay Atkins (Midfielder)
- Farid Addey (Midfielder)
- Lennon Mulhuish (Midfielder)
- Jahmi Kellyman (Midfielder)
- Jack McGrath (Midfielder)
- Oliver Bindley (Forward)
- Markie Meade (Forward)
- Rio Hammond (Forward)
- Tay’veon Smithen (Forward)
Aston Villa Academy Players On Loan 2025/26
Youth players on loan.
- Josh Feeney (Defender) Huddersfield Town
- Tommi O’Reilly (Midfielder) Crewe Alexandra
- Oliwier Zych (Goalkeeper) Raków Częstochowa
- Finley Munroe (Defender) Swindon Town
- Louie Barry (Forward) Sheffield United
- Sil Swinkels (Defender) Exeter City; Chesterfield
- Sam Lewis (Goalkeeper) Oxford City
- I-Lani Edwards (Midfielder) Hereford
- Kerr Smith (Defender) Barrow
- Trai-Varn Mulley (Forward) Stourbridge
- Ewan Simpson (Midfielder) Hamilton Academical
- Tristan Rowe (Defender) Annecy
- Zépiqueno Redmond (Forward) Huddersfield Town
- Thierry Katsukunya (Defender) Real Unión
- Matt Lott (Midfielder) Stratford Town
- Aidan Borland (Midfielder) Swindon Town
- Ashton McWilliams (Defender) Morecambe
- Kane Taylor (Midfielder) Oldham Athletic
- Charlie Pavey (Midfielder) Hereford
- Kadan Young (Forward) Reading
- Jamaldeen Jimoh (Midfielder) West Bromwich Albion United
- Ben Broggio (Forward) Falkirk
- Lino Sousa (Defender) Rotherham United
The Aston Villa Academy Products in First Team 2025/26
- Bradley Burrowes (Midfielder) #83
- Leo Routh (Defender) #56
- George Hemmings (Midfielder) #53
Aston Villa Academy International Players 2025/26
- Heaven Kilwa (Defender) England U16
- Joshua Blake (Forward) England U16
- Alvin Brown (Defender) England U16
- Oscar Johnson (Midfielder) England U16
- Olly Lloyd (Midfielder) England U16
- Fabian Williams (Defender) Wales U16
- George Thomas (Defender) Wales U16
- Lennon Moss (Midfielder) Wales U17
- Jahmi Kellyman (Forward) Northern Ireland U17
- Kachinga Siame (Forward) Zambia U17
- Brian Madjo (Forward) England U17
- Bradley Burrowes (Midfielder) England U17; U18
- Calum Moreland (Defender) Northern Ireland U19
- Alfie Lynskey (Midfielder) Ireland U19
- Keilan Quinn (Midfielder) Ireland U19
- Fletcher Boyd (Midfielder) Scotland U19
- Jack McGrath (Midfielder) Scotland U19
- George Hemmings (Midfielder) England U19
- Sam Proctor (Goalkeeper) England U20
- Jamaldeen Jimoh (Midfielder) England U20
- Kadan Young (Forward) England U20
- Yeimar Mosquera (Defender) Columbia U20
- Aidan Borland (Midfielder) Scotland U21
- Rory Wilson (Forward) Scotland U21
- Cole Brannigan (Forward) Northern Ireland U21
Aston Villa Academy Competitions
U18 Premier League
The league divides teams into North and South groups for the U18s, calling it the U18 Premier League.
Aston Villa Under-18 play in the South League
Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.
U17 and U18 Premier League Cup
In 2017, the Premier League introduced the U18 Premier League Cup and the U16 Premier League Cup, renaming the latter to the U17 Premier League Cup in 2020 for their respective age groups.
The seven group winners, along with the best runner-up determined by total points, goal difference, and then head-to-head record, will progress to the quarterfinals.
U17 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Aston Villa U17 are drawn in Group C against under 17 teams from Everton, Liverpool and Manchester City.
- Aston Villa U17 lost away against Liverpool U17 (9 – 1)
- Aston Villa U17 won at home against Manchester City (4 – 2)
- Aston Villa U17 lost away against Everton U17 (7 – 5)
U18 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Aston Villa U18 are drawn in Group B against under 18 teams from Leicester City, Liverpool and Newcastle United.
- Aston Villa U18 won away against Liverpool U18 (2 – 1)
- Woody Burgess
- Markie Meade
- Aston Villa U18 won at home against Newcastle U18 (7 – 1)
- Markie Meade (3)
- Jack McGrath (2)
- Teddie Bloomfield
- Olly Lloyd
- Aston Villa U18 won at home against Leicester City U18 (3 – 2)
FA Youth Cup
Third Round Proper
Aston Villa U18 have been drawn away against Doncaster Rovers U18
- Aston Villa U18 won away against Doncaster Rovers U18 (1 – 4)
- Bradley Burrowes (2)
- Max Jenner
- Jack McGrath
Fourth Round Proper
Aston Villa U18 have been drawn away against Fleetwood Town U18
- Aston Villa U18 won away against Fleetwood Town U18 (2 – 3)
- Bradley Burrowes (2)
- Jack McGrath
Fifth Round Proper
Aston Villa U18 have been drawn at home against Wrexham U18
U19 UEFA Youth League
As the leading club competition for academy-age footballers worldwide, it serves as a prestigious and vital platform where players can build their reputations and rise to prominence.
When eligible, the Under-19s compete in the UEFA Youth League, which mirrors the UEFA Champions’ League group stage.
UEFA will be introducing a new format from the 2024-25 season.
UEFA Youth League domestic champions path draws
Three rounds of two-legged ties have been set as 50 teams compete for ten last-32 places.
Second Round 1st Leg
- Aston Villa U19 drew away against KF Skënderbeu U19 (1 – 1)
- Rory Wilson
Second Round 2nd Leg
- Aston Villa U19 won at home against KF Skënderbeu U19 (6 – 0)
- Rory Wilson (3)
- TJ Carroll
- Jack McGrath (2)
Third Round 1st Leg
- Aston Villa U19 drew at home against AZ Alkmaar U19 (2 – 2)
- Rory Wilson
- Bradley Burrowes
Third Round 2nd Leg
- Aston Villa U19 lost away against AZ Alkmaar U19 (2 – 1)
- Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba
Premier League 2
Starting from the 2023 season, all Category 1 teams compete in a single league using the Swiss-style format.
There are a total of 29 clubs competing in the 2025/26 season.
Entry into or removal from this league depends on meeting the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) accreditation criteria.
Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.
Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.
Vertu Trophy (EFL Trophy)
The Vertu Trophy is a midweek knockout competition that includes clubs from EFL League One and League Two, along with 16 invited teams from Premier League and EFL Championship clubs that have Category One Academies.
The competition is regionalised from the opening stage through to the quarter-finals, featuring eight groups in the northern section and eight in the southern section.
Each group features one Under-21 Premier League side
Aston Villa Under-21s have been drawn into Southern Group F, where they will face Crawley Town, Leyton Orient and Peterborough United.
The fixtures will take place on:
- Crawley Town v Aston Villa U21 – Tuesday 16 September, 7.45 pm
- Peterborough United v Aston Villa U21 – Tuesday 30 September, 7.00pm
- Leyton Orient v Aston Villa U21 – Tuesday 28 October, 7.00 pm
- Aston Villa U21 lost away against Crawley Town (4 – 2)
- Rodrigo Fortes
- Ben Broggio
- Aston Villa U21 lost away against Peterborough United (4 – 2)
- Mohamed Kone
- Alfie Lynskey
- Aston Villa lost away against Leyton Orient (1 – 0)
Birmingham Senior Challenge Cup
Aston Villa U21 will play away against Coventry Sphinx on 3rd December at 7.45 PM
- Aston Villa U21 lost away against Coventry Sphinx (4 – 3)
- Rodrigo Fortes (2)
- Omar Khedr
Aston Villa Academy News
8th May 2025
George Hemmings has committed his future to the club by signing a long-term contract extension.
He joined Villa from Nottingham Forest in January 2024 and signed his first professional deal just three months after his arrival.
10th May 2025
Ewan Simpson has signed a contract extension with Aston Villa. After an injury-disrupted 2024/25 season, he will be eager to make his mark in the upcoming campaign.
Rico Richards has completed a permanent move to Port Vale, where he spent the 2024/25 season on loan.
13th May 2025
Aidan Borland has signed a new long-term contract with Aston Villa.
12th June 2025
Jimmy Shan has been appointed as the new Under-21 Head Coach, succeeding Josep Gombau, who will be leaving the club.
1st July 2025
Kaine Kesler Hayden has completed a move to Coventry City for an undisclosed fee.
The defender previously gained experience on loan with Swindon Town, MK Dons, Huddersfield Town, Plymouth Argyle, and most recently, Preston North End last season.
Aston Villa young defender TJ Carroll has signed his first professional contract with the club.
Villa have secured the signing of promising young striker Zépiqueno Redmond, who joins the club after his contract with Feyenoord came to an end.
Defender Ashton McWilliams, who has been with Aston Villa since the age of nine, has signed his first professional contract with the club.
3rd July 2025
Thierry Katsukunya has signed a new contract with the club.
4th July 2025
Aston Villa Academy forward Trai-Varn Mulley has put pen to paper on his first professional contract with the club.
8th July 2025
Max Lott has signed his first professional contract with the club. The creative, attacking midfielder is known for his flair and vision in the final third.
14th August 2025
Ronnie Hollingshead has put pen to paper on his first professional contract with the club.
The Welsh Under-21 international will join up with the Young Lions for the forthcoming season, having caught the eye of the coaching team at Bodymoor Heath with his performances.
5th September 2025
Fletcher Boyd is poised to complete a move from Aberdeen to Aston Villa for a substantial but undisclosed fee.
The 17-year-old Scotland Under-16 international featured 13 times for Aberdeen’s senior side, finding the net on two occasions.
17th September 2025
Oliver Bindley has penned his first professional contract with the club.
The attack-minded midfielder, who agreed scholarship terms with the Villans in the summer, has featured in all four Under-18 matches so far this season.
12th October 2025
Aston Villa’s Under-16 team have secured a place in the Premier League National Tournament Finals after defeating Chelsea in a penalty shootout.
The victory followed group stage wins against Brighton and Ipswich.
The Finals are set to take place during the first week of November at St George’s Park.
21st October 2025
Midfielder Bradley Burrowes has been called up to the England U17 squad for the 2025 World Cup in Qatar.
22nd October 2025
Aston Villa have been drawn away to Coventry Sphinx in the Second Round of the Birmingham Senior Cup, with the tie set to be played on or before Saturday, 22 November.
24th October 2025
Aston Villa Academy defender Heaven Kilwa and forwards Oscar Johnson and Joshua Blake have earned a call-up to the England Under-16 squad for the upcoming Football Federations Cup in Antalya, Türkiye.
25th October 2025
Jahmi Kellyman has been selected for the Northern Ireland squad ahead of their U17 Euro Qualifiers next week, where they’ll face Armenia, Cyprus, and Finland.
5th November 2025
Aston Villa U19 have booked their spot in the Third Round of the UEFA Youth League.
A commanding second-leg 6-0 victory over Albanian side KF Skënderbeu at Bodymoor Heath has earned them a clash with Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar, with a place in next year’s round of 32 on the line.
6th November 2025
Aston Villa have finalised the signing of 14-year-old centre-back Levi Rufus from Charlton Athletic, who will join their under-16 team.
9th November 2025
Dan Adediran was named Player of the Tournament at the U16 Premier League National Tournament.
10th November 2025
Aston Villa Under-21 will face Coventry Sphinx in the Birmingham Senior Cup on Wednesday, 3rd September at 7.45 pm.
12th November 2025
Teddie Bloomfield has signed his first professional contract with Aston Villa
24th November 2025
Keilan Quinn has penned a new contract with Aston Villa.
The midfielder joined the Academy from West Bromwich Albion earlier last year.
3rd December 2025
Aston Villa Under-21s have been eliminated from the Birmingham Senior Cup following a 4–3 defeat away to Coventry Sphinx.
4th December 2025
Academy defender Leon Routh has put pen to paper on a new contract with the club.
10th December 2025
Aston Villa Under-19s’ European campaign concluded on Tuesday night, as they were eliminated from the UEFA Youth League by AZ Alkmaar.
16th December 2025
Aston Villa U18s booked their place in the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup with a 4-1 win over Doncaster Rovers U18.
They will face Fleetwood Town in the next round.
22nd December 2025
Aston Villa U18 are set to travel to Highbury Stadium to face Fleetwood Town in their Fourth Round tie on Tuesday 20 January, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm.
15th January 2026
Aston Villa have confirmed that Finley Munroe has been recalled from his loan spell at Swindon Town and has since completed a move to Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee.
Munroe joined Villa’s Academy from Chelsea in July 2021 and signed his first professional contract the following year.
20th February 2026
Aston Villa Under-16s were crowned winners of the U16 Ehiogu Memorial Tournament, which also featured Liverpool, Fulham, Charlton and Sheffield United.
25th February 2026
Fletcher Boyd has agreed a new contract with Aston Villa.
The midfielder joined the Villans in summer 2025 from Aberdeen FC, where he made 13 senior appearances and scored twice.
7th March 2026
Cole Brannigan has put pen to paper on a new contract with the club.
The midfielder joined Villa from Linfield in the summer of 2023 before signing his first professional deal a year later.
23rd March 2026
Bradley Burrowes has signed a new contract with Aston Villa.
15th June 2026
Max Jenner has signed a new contract with the club.
The midfielder, an England youth international, featured heavily for the club’s Under-21s last season having signed his first professional contract in April 2025.