Mason Cotcher joined Aston Villa’s Academy in August 2024.

The highly-rated forward, an England youth international, arrived as a free agent having previously spent time at Sunderland.

Having impressed for the club’s Under-18s, Cotcher duly appeared for our Under-21s as well as in the EFL Trophy, FA Youth Cup – where he bagged a fifth-round hat-trick against Bristol City in February - and UEFA Youth League.

In Europe, the teenager found the net against Bologna and Club Brugge, twice, in the group stages, before again getting on the scoresheet to help the Young Lions see off Puskas Akademia and secure their place in the last 16 of the prestigious competition.