Aston Villa starlet Josh Feeney may be a 'future England international' and has already shown he is a 'centre-back of the future' at Villa Park, according to Birmingham Live journalist Ashley Preece.

The Midlands club went into the international break sitting three points clear of the Premier League's relegation zone and although Feeney has not played his part during the early stages of the campaign, he is highly-rated.

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What's the latest news involving Feeney?

While Feeney is still waiting to make his senior debut for Villa, he has been included on the substitutes bench four times.

The 17-year-old was spotted training with the first-team squad at Bodymoor Heath as Steven Gerrard’s squad prepared to face Leicester City earlier this month.

Although the Premier League clash did not go ahead as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, he appears to be edging towards his bow.

It has been an international break to remember for Feeney as he won his first England under-18 cap during a win over the Netherlands and also wore the captain's armband.

Having joined Villa from League One side Fleetwood Town last year, the centre-back signed a professional contract in July.

What has Ashley Preece said about Feeney?

Preece believes Feeney has a bright future ahead of him and is aware that Gerrard is an admirer.

The journalist is refusing to rule out the possibility of the teenager going on to become a full England international.

Preece told GIVEMESPORT: "Josh Feeney is a centre-back of the future at Villa. Mark Harrison, the head of academy, said that.

"He is another one that was part of the first-team in pre-season in Australia and he is a constant fixture in first-team training sessions. Gerrard thinks highly of Josh Feeney.

"He just needs to bulk up a little bit because he is quite slight for a centre-half, so I don't think a loan would have suited him just yet.

"He's only 17, very young and the England under-18 captain. He is a classy defender who is a ball-playing centre-half. He is one for the future, for sure, and maybe a future England international."

Is Feeney likely to make his Villa debut soon?

Feeney caught Gerrard’s eye during Villa’s pre-season tour of Australia, with the head coach stating he has a ‘huge future’ ahead of him and ‘it’ll be a matter of time before he makes his debut for Aston Villa’.

That seems to suggest Feeney is closing in on making his bow and Diego Carlos' serious injury, a ruptured Achilles' tendon suffered last month, could speed up the process.

But Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Jan Bednarek and Calum Chambers are still ahead of Feeney in the pecking order.