Michael Nelson

Michael Nelson is hoping to secure a regular starting role for Villa's U18 team during the second year of his academy scholarship.

The midfielder from Brampton, Ontario in Canada made a handful of appearances in the Barclays Premier Academy League in 2011-12.

Nelson started in a 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City at Bodymoor Heath in November 2011 and made substitute appearances against Reading, Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur in the second half of the campaign.

He was also a substitute for the reserves in the 2-1 win over Swansea City at Hinckley in December.

The Canadian teenager was originally signed as a winger but impressed in the central ground when asked to play there for Villa's U16 team.

Away from football, Nelson also has a keen interest in Gaelic football and street hockey.

He rates Spanish World Cup winner David Silva as his favourite player.