Mark Harrison has big plans for Aston Villa's academy.

Harrison has begun work at Bodymoor Heath after making the switch from rivals West Brom. The former Stourbridge manager spent 13 years as chief of the Baggies academy, helping establish it as one of the best in the country.

He described head coach Dean Smith, sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch and chief executive Christian Purslow as being a 'Band of Brothers', explaining: “I was really impressed with how they sold the club to me. I was enthused from the first time I met them.

“What really drew me here was the potential. You can see with the owners and the senior management the vision they have. I got a real good feel for how they want to build not only the club but the academy.

“I was part of a vision, certainly early on at West Brom when Dan Ashworth was technical director.

“The good thing for me is I know I am going to be challenged in the role. They understand it will take time.

“People will say I would say that because you are protecting yourself but to get an academy up to a level where we are producing Premier League players will take time."