"It is great to see the young kids enjoying football. That is what it is all about at their age - having fun, having a good time and making new friends."

That was the ringing endorsement from record signing Darren Bent when he made an impromptu visit to one of the Villa's soccer schools.

The England striker is one of several claret and blues stars who have appeared at our increasingly-popular football development weeks.

Bent wowed budding footballers at a Villa soccer school in Kings Norton in February 2012.

The group of seven to 14-year-olds were put through their paces by Villa's community coaches before getting the chance to meet the hotshot.

In the past 12 months, youngsters at Villa soccer schools in Tamworth, Edgbaston and Aston have also received surprise visits from first team stars.

Stephen Ireland popped in to a development session at Rawlett Community College in Tamworth, while Barry Bannan paid a visit to the Villa Park Indoor Academy.

And former defender Carlos Cuellar was on hand to meet and greet youngsters at Hallfield School in Edgbaston.

Midfield ace Ireland was particularly impressed with the work carried out by the club's community coaches.

"It is great to come and see these kids who support the club and to put a smile on their faces is brilliant," he said.

"I watched a bit of the training and saw some cracking touches and moves from the guys and girls there.

"I know the community coaches work ever so hard and it's fantastic to see them teaching the children all they need to know as they start their football education."

Andreas Weimann was a recent visitor to a Villa soccer school when he stopped by at the Villa Park indoor academy during the February half-term holidays.

Check out the image gallery of Weimann's soccer school visit.