Colchester United have signed 21-year-old Aston Villa striker Sam Williams on a three month loan.

"I think we needed an extra body up front, what with Steven Gillespie's latest injury," U's boss Paul Lambert told the club website.

"We are fortunate to have [Sam] - he is young enthusiastic and hungry to do well. I think he'll do great for us."

Williams has been at Villa since the age of 15 and has previously had loan spells at Wrexham and Brighton.