Aston Villa have another talented youngster following in the footsteps of Gabby Agbonlahor

Jacob Ramsey has enjoyed a meteoric rise to Aston Villa first team regular this season – and plenty of famous football names believe the sky is the limit for the Birmingham-born and bred talent.

England youth international Ramsey is still only 20 but made his 50^th Villa appearance in yesterday’s defeat to Newcastle and is Villa’s joint top scorer this season with an impressive five goals from his 21 Premier League appearances.

With Jordan Henderson approaching the age of 32 and Kalvin Phillips injured, places are up for grabs in central midfield for England and manager Gareth Southgate could well decide to hand Ramsey his senior bow for the national side in one of the friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast at the end of March.

Ramsey’s pace and power are the raw attributes which have caught the eye this season and, coupled with a clear eye for goal, it is clear to see why the man from Great Barr is tipped to continue taking the game by storm – particularly under the leadership of Villa boss Steven Gerrard.

Ramsey’s progress mirrors that of another homegrown Villa talent Gabby Agbonlahor, who went on to achieve senior England recognition after coming through the ranks at Villa Park.

Former England players and Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville and Paul Merson are all in agreement that, with the right attitude and driven by his manager, Ramsey is only going to get better.

Neville said: “I don’t think central midfield is an area England are particularly blessed in, so it wouldn’t surprise me (to see Ramsey called up next month).”

Carragher, who enjoyed a trophy-laden spell alongside Gerrard at Liverpool, added: “There is no better teacher than Steven Gerrard and he (Ramsey) looks like another off the conveyor belt.

“If he could get anywhere close to Gerrard’s level, then he’s got a huge future.”

Former Villa favourite Merson was also in agreement, saying: “Philippe Coutinho was very good against Leeds (when Ramsey scored twice). If you can get players like Jacob Ramsey making runs around him, Coutinho will find them.

“Coutinho will probably get Ramsey into the England squad.”

Ramsey may have only made his England under 21 debut in October, but few would bet against him and fellow West Midlander Jude Bellingham being named in England’s squad for the 2022 World Cup which begins in November in Qatar.

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