Record-breaker: Gerrard can unearth his own Ryan Kent at Villa in "outstanding" 20 y/o - opinion

While Aston Villa’s form in the Premier League has taken a bit of a dip in recent weeks, one man who’s been impressing away from the spotlight at Villa Park, is Jaden Philogene-Bidace.

The 20-year-old made the switch to Championship side Stoke City in the January transfer window after failing to get much of a look-in for Villa, and has since established himself as a key part of Michael O’Neill’s side.

Though he’s managed just the one goal in his first six appearances for the club in the league, he has completed the full 90 minutes in his past four outings, and has impressed his boss.

O’Neill recently said: “(Philogene-Bidace) is a good player, he’s getting sharp, he’s dynamic and he does a lot of work off the ball as well.

“The other thing we like about him is that he’s brave; he puts himself in dangerous situations. I knew I was getting a good player, Steven Gerrard told me I was getting a good player and we certainly haven’t been disappointed.”

With reports back in November claiming that Gerrard was looking to his former club for potential new signings, not least Ryan Kent, the Villa boss could actually find his ideal young winger in Philogene-Bidace.

The 20-year-old was in fine form last year for the club’s U23s, scoring five goals in just 14 games at Premier League 2 level, as well as providing three assists – that’s not to mention the superb hat-trick he scored on his England under-19 debut last November either.

His former coach Ahmed Abdulla has raved about his ability as an out-and-out winger, and judging by the coach’s comments, he seems perfectly ready to grab his opportunity in senior football.

Abdulla said: “He can come inside or go on the outside. The model winger. He hugs the touchline and can beat his man.