Aston Villa academy chief Bryan Jones sees Ciaran Clarke challenging for a first team place next season.

He said: "Ciaran can feel particularly pleased with his progress over the last season. He's got a tremendous attitude. When he broke his leg in his last year at school, it was a horrendous break.

"Watching his first game back after recovery, which was a long process, the commitment of the boy to win the ball was just unbelievable. The courage he showed just epitomised what a lot of these young players have got."