Aston Villa will step up efforts to tie down three emerging young players after each made an impact in the Carabao Cup win over Wigan Athletic.
Callum O’Hare, 19, continued his impressive introduction to senior football with an energetic display behind Scott Hogan but is out of contract next summer.
Full-back Mitchell Clark and midfielder Jake Doyle-Hayes, both 18, also stood out on their senior debuts, looking two of the best players on the pitch in the 4-1 victory, in a sign Villa’s academy is working well.
Both have less than 12 months remaining on their current deals too, and Steve Bruce is said to be aware of the need to get all three signed up on improved terms.