Nigerian goalkeeper Emmanuel Okokon Idem is working hard to break into the first team of Aston Villa in the not too distant future.

Still a teenager, the netminder was a regular for the U18 squad of the Claret and Blue Army in the 2015-2016 campaign, and provided cover for Matija Sarkic in some matches for the development team.

Emmanuel Idem was a second half substitute in January 2016 when Aston Villa U21s narrowly lost 2-1 to a selection of best U21 players in the Italian Serie B and was impressive in between the pipes.

The glovesman, who was born in London, joined Arsenal as an 11-year-old and remained with the Londoners until 2014 when he transferred to Stoke City, before he was acquired by Aston Villa in the summer of 2015.

Along with Gabriel Agbonlahor, Idem was one of the players retained by Aston Villa ahead of the start of pre-season training.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : avfc.co.uk