Premier League club Aston Villa have announced that 18-year-old defender Ashton McWilliams has signed his first professional contract.

McWilliams performed well last season and was a key member of Aston Villa U18 youth team's "Triple Crown" journey, winning the FA Youth Cup, Premier League South Championship and Premier League National Finals with the team. His stable performance and outstanding leadership on the field won unanimous recognition from the coaching staff.

The club's youth training director Mark Harrison spoke highly of McWilliams ' growth: "Ashton has been with us since the U9 stage and I am very pleased to see him sign a professional contract today."

“He is a very competitive full-back with a strong offensive awareness and is good at running down the wing. Not only that, he also served as captain of the U18 team many times last season and was an important pillar of the team’s success. We look forward to his continued growth and believe that he will have the opportunity to show his talents at a higher level in the next few years.”

As another potential star cultivated by Aston Villa's youth training system, McWilliams' promotion also confirms the club's long-term investment and system construction in youth training. This signing is not only a recognition of the player's personal efforts, but also a sign that Aston Villa's new hope for the future defense is about to rise.