Cousins played 44 times for Charlton last season on the left of midfield

Aston Villa are leading a trio of Barclays Premier League clubs interested in highly-rated Charlton starlet Jordan Cousins.

Liverpool and Newcastle are also tracking the England U20 international, aware that he has only 12 months left on his contract at the Valley.

Villa have the edge because Tim Sherwood’s assistant Mark Robson has a long association with Charlton, where he played and coached in the academy for six years.

Charlton Athletic's Jordan Cousins is attracting a lot of interest from Premier League clubs

Cousins poses in next season's kit - but will he still be at The Valley to wear it?

Robson, who also worked with England’s U17 team, is a big admirer of the 21-year-old who has become established as a first-team regular since scoring on his debut against Barnsley, two years ago.

Cousins has continued to make impressive progress, starting 44 games in the Championship last season as Charlton finished in a respectable mid-table position.

He scored three goals, and has been closely monitored by Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, who he supported as a boy.

The Londoner, born in Greenwich, has played through the age groups for England and scored on his debut for the U20 team, then coached by Gareth Southgate, in the Toulon tournament last summer.

He has played for much of last season on the left of midfield last season and has also played at the back in the youth team but is expected to develop into a strong central midfielder.