Steven Gerrard is ready to give Aston Villa teenager Tim Iroegbunam more chances to impress this season.
The 18-year-old midfielder, who joined Villa from West Bromwich Albion last summer, played the final 15 minutes of Saturday's draw with Leicester.
Villa boss Gerrard told the Express & Star: "We think the world of Tim. He has a big future here and it is my job to keep managing his game time to prepare him for a big career. He has a lot of attributes which will help this club moving forward.
"He was terrific (on Saturday). He played with calmness and maturity and he is going to be looking at me all week for more game time now.
"He is a top professional, in the gym before training and after training. He needs to come out of his shell and find his voice now he is in men's football."
Gerrard continued: "We trust Tim. We trust we have enough talent in the academy and we will give them a pathway if they are prepared and as ready as he is.
"Tim played 90 minutes behind closed doors during the Easter period. It is not as though he has come in unprepared. But he looked like a seasoned pro out there at Leicester for 20 minutes."
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