Aston Villa rising star sends message after Steven Gerrard backing

Steven Gerrard has promoted another young Aston Villa talent to the first team, with Tommi O'Reilly joining his group.

O'Reilly is an 18-year-old attacking midfielder who made his bow for Gerrard 's men in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Molde at Villa Park on Saturday.

Goals from Jacob Ramsey, John McGinn and Ollie Watkins in the first half wrapped up the game for the hosts, with Kristoffer Haugen replying for the visitors.

Gerrard experimented with his January signings ahead of the Leeds United clash on Wednesday, Villa 's return to Premier League football after more than two weeks off, with Robin Olsen and Calum Chambers starting.

O'Reilly was also included, coming off the substitute's bench.

He is one of two youngsters promoted to the first-team group, with 16-year-old Jayden Barber also getting the call.

O'Reilly took to social media to comment on his appearance in the friendly.

"Good to get some minutes with the first team today," O'Reilly wrote on Twitter along with a picture of him in action in B6.

O'Reilly's call up to the first-team is more evidence that Gerrard is keen to use the club's academy, which is brimming with talent.

Ramsey has established himself as a starter in the Premier League while there are Carney Chukwuemeka, Kaine Kesler Hayden, Jaden Philogene-Bidace, Cameron Archer, among others waiting to make the step up.

"We've made it nice and clear that, in terms of the second team, the B team or the under-23s, whatever you want to call it, it's important that whenever players are coming up to train or are called up to play and to be part of the squad, that they know everything about us and the way we play and what's expected of them," Gerrard said back in December.

"These relationships