Aston Villa have been very active in the transfer windows over the last 18 months, becoming the biggest net spenders in Europe over the last three seasons, but they have also been able to combine big spending with nurturing talent through their youth academy.

Jack Grealish and Jacob Ramsey are two of the most popular and notable Villa players who have broken through the academy into the youth team in most recent times, with Grealish sold for £100m to Manchester City in the summer and Ramsey becoming a key player in the team since Steven Gerrard's arrival back in November.

Now the manager could save millions by giving another youth player to follow in the footsteps of the likes of the aforementioned pair, as Ben Chrisene has been impressing in the youth team for a while now, particularly since Matt Targett left on loan, catching the eye of the Liverpudlian manager.

Gerrard recently spoke about the 18-year-old's potential integration into the defensive line following Targett's loan move to Newcastle United in January, saying:

"I’d have been happy to keep him (Targett), but it’s opened up a pathway for young Ben Chrisene – really good prospect and we’re really excited to try to help him become a Premier League player."

The teenager's manager isn't the only one to wax lyrical about his qualities with Exeter City manager Matt Taylor previously revealing that he is "going to play at the top level."

Meanwhile, Luis Miguel Echegaray of CBS Sports described him as a "super" versatile young player.

With that in mind, his chance must come now that loaned out left-back, Targett, is reportedly set for a permanent move to Tyneside, with ChronicleLive reporting that Newcastle have already got a deal in with Villa to secure his future with the Magpies.

Therefore, Chrisene could solve a big problem ahead of the transfer window, potentially saving the club millions and preventing Gerrard from having a big headache worrying about the depth of his defence.

The youngster has been capped nine times at youth level, playing for England's U15 and U16 teams, and according to Birmingham Mail he has been impressing coaches at Bodymoor Heath since the new manager took over late last year, leading to the club securing the left back's future by giving him a new contract in January 2022.

Although Lucas Digne currently occupies the starting spot in the left defensive position at Aston Villa, it is clear that Gerrard and his coaches value Chrisene and want to develop and implement their youth revolution further by giving the defender his opportunity when the time is right.

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