'Big talent' - Steven Gerrard hails Jacob Ramsey and answers Carney Chukwuemeka question

Steven Gerrard is 'delighted' that Jacob Ramsey has committed his long-term future to Aston Villa and is looking forward to developing his game further in the coming years.

The 20-year-old put pen to paper on a deal until 2027 on Tuesday and will continue his meteoric rise with the football club he joined at the age of six. Ramsey enjoyed a breakthrough Premier League campaign last year, but after making 30 league appearances this term, he has gone from strength to strength.

He has so far scored six goals this season and is a favourite to win the club's player of the season award. Head coach Gerrard believes Ramsey is an example for other academy players to follow, with the likes of Tim Iroegbunam and Tommi O'Reilly breaking into the first-team picture in recent months.

Another teenager who has graduated from Bodymoor Heath's brimming academy is Carney Chukwuemeka. Though, despite the club offering a new contract, he is no closer to penning fresh terms.

When asked if any progress had been made on negotiations with Chukwuemeka, Gerrard told : "No, I have got no update on Carney’s situation. Obviously I am delighted with JJ [Ramsey] committing long-term to this project and this journey.

"I must say, himself, the kid, he was very humble and his representation were very keen, the same as the club, to get this done. We’ve signed a big talent for many years, he’s one of our own as a younger boy who we’ve given a pathway to and he’s taken it with both hands.

"He has shown that he deserves to be a starter in this team, he needs to remain consistent and he has got tot keep learning and growing, we think he can still get better, we think there are more levels that he can get to.

"He’s been an absolute joy to coach and a joy