Benjamin Siegrist

Benjamin Siegrist enjoyed a productive 2011-12 campaign, establishing himself as Villa's reserve team keeper as well as working at close quarters with the first team.

The Basel-born custodian made 17 appearances in the Barclays Premier Reserve League as Villa stormed to the southern section title.

But, more significantly, Siegrist was brought into the first team fold by goalkeeping coach Terry Gennoe.

It offered Siegrist the opportunity to work with senior keepers Shay Given and Brad Guzan on matchdays as well as on the training field.

He was an integral member of Villa's NextGen Series squad, playing in five of the six group games before suffering disappointment of missing the last eight tie against Marseille with a hand injury.

On the international stage, Siegrist also established himself as a regular member of Switzerland's U21 squad having previously represented his national side at U17 and U19 level.

The 20-year-old finished the season by helping Villa reach the final of the Hong Kong International Soccer Sevens - the third time he had featured in the prestigious competition.

Siegrist made a big impression in the Villa academy ranks as part of the team that finished as runners-up in the FA Youth Cup in 2009-10.

But his finest achievement that season came with Switzerland, who won the World U17 Cup in Nigeria.

Siegrist walked away with the Golden Gloves award for the tournament's top goalkeeper.

Opportunities at Villa were limited for Siegrist in the 2010-11 season, with Andy Marshall and Elliot Parish also vying for the reserve team keeper's jersey.

But the summer proved to be a busy one for the 6ft 4in stopper.

After representing Switzerland in a European U19 qualifier, he got the call to head to Denmark to provide goalkeeping cover for the U21 side in the Euro 2011 finals.

But developing his claret and blue career is his number one priority.

He revealed his desire to learn from Shay Given - almost a decade after getting an up-close view of the club's No.1 as ball-boy in a UEFA Cup game.

Siegrist stood behind Given's goal during Newcastle's tie against FC Basel - and even got to throw the ball back to the Republic of Ireland international.