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John Terry has confirmed he WILL stay at Aston Villa if they get promoted.

Terry, 37, is out of contract at the end of the season and fully focused on helping Villa return to the top flight via the play-offs.

Steve Bruce’s side are guaranteed a fourth-placed finish and are preparing to meet either Middlesbrough or Derby County over two legs once final day formalities at Millwall are done and dusted.

But the play-off games offer greater significance for Terry.

If Villa prevail through the play-offs, he’ll lead them in the Premier League. If not, he’ll most probably depart the club after at year at Villa Park.

“Initially it was a big decision for me to leave Chelsea and come to Villa but I have settled in very well and been welcomed,” Terry told the Mirror.

“It is in my contract (to stay) if we go up, and fingers crossed and touch wood we do, then I will be staying another year.”

If Villa aren’t promoted Terry is likely to try his hand at coaching. The former Chelsea and England captain is currently working towards his UEFA A Licence.

“I think I have played under some very good managers who have passed on some very good things,” he added.

“Some have passed on things I wouldn’t do or I have made notes on how not to do things.

“I am on my A licence in the summer and whatever happens then I will be ready to coach and manage with the work in progress in my A licence.

“I will be prepared whether I decide to carry on playing, or if I decide to stop. I will be ready to go depending what options I choose.”

More Villa news

Aston Villa’s youngsters go in search of their first trophy of a thrilling season tonight.

Kevin MacDonald and Mark Delaney take Villa’s under-23s to South Wales to meet Swansea City in the Premier League Cup final.

It’s the first of two huge games for the Young Lions, who will also host Brighton & Hove Albion in the PL2 play-off final.

Villa’s run to the final has been a test of guts, determination and nerve.

It’s been a team effort with MacDonald and Delaney utilising a strong squad - but there have been some stand-out performers.

IF Villa remain in the Championship next season and spending needs to be reined in further, a few of these youngsters may make that all-important breakthrough.

Here are five who have really caught the eye in this brilliant campaign for Villa’s under-23s.

Mitch Clark

Clark, 19, is an old-school defender who relishes the physical side of the game, which is part of the reason why Villa boss Steve Bruce - a tough-tackling central defender in his day - speaks highly of him.

The Wales U19 international has grown in confidence this season and has impressed playing across the backline.

Clark naturally prefers to play at right-back or in the middle of defence but he’s starred at left-back in recent weeks.

Clark was a regular in Villa’s under-23s last season, despite still being a youth team player, and impressed in a pre-season game against Telford United in July.

His reward was a first team debut against Wigan Athletic in August, and there’ll be more where that came from.

Jake Doyle-Hayes

Like Clark, Doyle-Hayes also caught the eye in pre-season. The Republic of Ireland U19 star was a surprise inclusion on Villa’s pre-season tour of Germany and he shone in the Cup of Traditions triumph.

Doyle-Hayes was also involved in the 4-1 Carabao Cup win over Wigan and Bruce kept him in the XI for the match against Middlesbrough in the third round.

The midfielder has been one of Villa U23s’ most consistent performers this season and appears unaffected by all the excitement surrounding him.

Paul McGrath, Steve Staunton and Ray Houghton flew the Irish flag at Villa Park, now Doyle-Hayes hopes to follow in their footsteps.

Jack Clarke

Clarke is an industrious, often understated member of Villa’s promotion and cup double chasing U23s.

No player has made more PL2 appearances for Villa this season than Clarke and he fired the important opener in the PL Cup semi-final win over Leicester City.

He’s got a wand of a left foot and is one of the best technicians in Villa’s squad.

Like several of his team-mates, Clarke has also joined in first team training and rubbed shoulders with John Terry and Co on occasions this season.

In his first year as a professional Clarke has become a mainstay for the second string which is no small achievement.

Callum O’Hare

O’Hare is probably the member of Villa’s U23s that supporters are most aware of. Excitement had been bubbling around the diminutive attacker for some time before his outstanding debut against Colchester United in August.

He was a regular in first team squads before Christmas and has four Championship appearances from the bench to his name, as well as three Carabao Cup starts.

O’Hare has been breathtaking at times for the U23s and has emerged as the leader of this very talented crop of youngsters.

The 20-year-old has only been on the losing side twice this season and has 12 goals to his name.

Rushian Hepburn-Murphy

Former Aston Manor pupil Hepburn-Murphy was thrust into the first team spotlight at 16 when he appeared for Villa against Sunderland under Tim Sherwood.

Injuries have troubled the striker since but he’s on fire at the moment.

Hepburn-Murphy has scored 13 goals in as many appearances for the U23s this season.

He tends to grab important goals, too. Hepburn-Murphy scored both goals in the dramatic PL Cup quarter-final win at Middlesbrough before getting decisive doubles against Leicester in the semi-final and Reading in the PL2 play-off semi-final.

The lightning quick attacker has become Villa’s man for the big occasion and it’s only a matter of time before the first team call arrives.

Honourable mentions

Not everyone could be included on this list but there are many others who have impressed this season. Defender Jacob Bedeau would have made the cut had he not cost the club the best part of £1million already, while Easah Suliman has impressed alongside him.

Jordan Lyden continues to excel in midfield, and Corey Blackett-Taylor and Jordan Cox have offered Villa speed and enthusiasm out wide.