Aston Villa F.C. Reserves And Academy
The Aston Villa Under-21s are the most senior youth development team of Aston Villa and compete in League 1 of the Professional Development League, they were part of the FA Premier Reserve League since its foundation in 1999 and were winners of the 2011-12 Premier Reserve League South title, the last in its previous format. The team plays its home games at Villa Park - during the months of Autumn and Spring - and the Greene King Stadium (home of Hinckley United) - during the winter months. Aston Villa also have an academy team that competes in the Under-18 division of the Professional Development League.
In accordance with Villa's impressive youth development, the team has received huge success in recent years. As well as becoming national champions in the 2003–04 and 2009–10 seasons, the team also clinched four out of five Southern Championships between 2007 and 2012, before the format changed to the Professional Development League 1.
Current first-teamers Ciaran Clark, Barry Bannan, Eric Lichaj, Marc Albrighton, Chris Herd, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Nathan Delfouneso, Nathan Baker, Gary Gardner and Andreas Weimann all came through the youth system at the club, as well as former players Gary Cahill, Gareth Barry, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Darius Vassell, Craig Gardner and Steven Davis amongst many others. The Development team is currently coached by Gordon Cowans and Sean Verity, whilst Tony McAndrew and Ben Petty coach the Academy team. The Development team is primarily made up of players under the age of 21, although three over-age outfield players may be named in a matchday squad. These may usually include fringe first-team players and first-team players recovering from injury.
Read more about Aston Villa F.C. Reserves And Academy: Matchday, History, Hong Kong Soccer Sevens, Honours, Aston Villa Academy, Staff, Current Academy Squad, Notable Academy Graduates
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