Forget Coutinho: Villa must unleash "special" 18 y/o who's more exciting than Ramsey - opinion

With Steven Gerrard firmly in the swing of things as Aston Villa manager, the momentum has well and truly shifted in the Midlands club’s favour.

The recent 3-3 draw to Leeds United in the Premier League has done little to dampen the optimism surrounding the club, with the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Jacob Ramsey stepping into the spotlight.

The duo are the opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of their careers, with 29-year-old Coutinho having arrived on loan from Barcelona in the January transfer window and 20-year-old Ramsey finally stamping his mark in the first team after coming through the academy.

Gerrard will no doubt continue to look towards Villa’s exciting young players for some more gems, but it’s now high time that he gives one of Ramsey’s fellow academy team-mates in Carney Chukwuemeka a genuine run in the first team.

The teenager has earned rave reviews for his performances at youth team level with Villa, and was even dubbed a “scary talent” by Ashley Preece.

Writing in his post-match player ratings after seeing him score a hat-trick against Newcastle in the FA Youth Cup last season, the journalist showered him with more praise, saying: “This was a Carney Chukwuemeka masterclass. It was a clinic in how to play an advanced midfield role with the 17-year-old oozing confidence and swagger. The hype’s real surrounding this kid who, as supporters know, has been around Dean Smith’s first team for a long time now. Villa’s No.10 started almost every attack and looked to hurt Newcastle at every opportunity.”

Hailed as “special” by podcaster Sam Tighe, the 18-year-old could be the next breakout star from the Villa academy to really nail down a place in the first team under Gerrard.

He has made eight Premier