How Aston Villa already have their new George Hemmings after what Jack McGrath does
Aston Villa must be delighted after George Hemmings' breakout under Unai Emery.
Having lost Morgan Rogers to Chelsea this summer, it isn't one of the Villans' multi-million-pound signings who has replaced him.
The 19-year-old, who joined the Lions' youth team from Nottingham Forest in January 2024, has now become a key player in the senior squad.
Villa Park could soon see another young player make his mark in the first team - Jack McGrath.
The 17-year-old has gone from strength to strength under the care of Jimmy Shan.
Against Club Brugge in the UEFA Youth League, the Scotland Under-19 international showed that he has the potential to take the step up sooner rather than later.
What Jack McGrath has done at Aston Villa
Villa's Under-19 team faced Brugge's youth side on 8 September at The NEST, the home of the Belgium club's reserve team.
McGrath started for Shan's team and scored two goals in the 5-3 loss, with the official lineups suggesting that he started on the left.
An attacking-midfielder by trade, the young Scottish prospect can play on the left-wing and a bit deeper in midfield.
McGrath has already taken his goal tally to four this season, bagging a brace for the Under-18s against Fulham.
Last season, the attacker scored 11 goals and provided 14 assists in the U18 Premier League.
Other youth prospects Unai Emery could turn to at Villa Park
Two players in Villa's Under-21s whom Emery may turn to at some point this season are Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba and TJ Carroll.
The 19-year-old attacker has been a part of the Villans' senior team on occasions over the last two seasons.
As for the young centre-back, he did make the bench during the Lions' 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League in January.
Jimoh-Aloba had a couple of standout moments for the B6 club last season before being sent on loan to West Bromwich Albion.
As for Carroll, Emery could potentially call on him if there are a couple of fitness issues at centre-back this season.
Some exciting prospects like Triston Rowe, Kadan Young and Ben Broggio are also currently out on loan and their development will be worth watching closely.