Joshua Webb

Joshua Webb displayed maturity beyond his years in the first season of his Villa academy scholarship.

The defensive starlet from Stourbridge featured for the club's U18s, reserves and NextGen Series teams during the 2011-12 season.

Despite being one of the youngest members of the team, Webb was one of the most consistent performers during Villa's run to the NextGen quarter-finals in 2011-12.

At the age of just 16, he played in five of the seven fixtures in the prestigious European tournament.

Having impressed at right-back during his early outings, Webb proved to be just as capable when filling in at centre-back with Richard Bryan and Derrick Williams missing for the 3-0 win over Ajax.

Webb also made several appearances in the Barclays Premier Reserve League, including a place in the starting XI for the national play-off final against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

In May 2012, the versatile stopper played a part in Villa's run to the final of the Hong Kong International Soccer Sevens. 

Webb, whose footballing idol is Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, has also made a big impression on the international scene.

He earned an England U16s call-up for the Nordic Tournament in July 2011.

Then, in February 2012, Webb and fellow Villa academy stars Jordan Graham and Callum Robinson starred for England U17s at the Algarve Tournament.

The Three Lions lifted the trophy ahead of France, Holland and hosts Portugal.