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Steve Bruce has opened the door to some of Aston Villa's under-23s for his annual pre-season training camp in Portugal.

With John Terry, Chris Samba and Co no longer blocking their path, Bruce is expected to utilise more of Villa's academy graduates next season.

Star man Jack Grealish has set the standard for Bodymoor Heath's finest in recent years with dazzling displays in the first team.

Who will be next to light up Villa Park? Here's a guide to the 10 kids involved in the Algarve.

Rushian Hepburn-Murphy

Prodigious talent Hepburn-Murphy made his debut for Villa as a 16-year-old in the 4-0 Premier League thumping of Sunderland in 2015.

Had it not been for a cruel run of injuries Hepburn-Murphy might well already be a fully-fledged first team member.

Unlike last year, the striker will feel the benefits of Bruce's gruelling pre-season training camp and he's hoping to hit the ground running.

Bruce is ready to unleash the 19-year-old on the Championship providing he impresses in pre-season friendlies.

Hepburn-Murphy is lightning quick and knows where the net is.

Villa appearances: 0 (10)

Record last season: 15 games, 13 goals - Villa U23s

Keinan Davis

Bruce loves Davis. He handed Davis his first start last season against Norwich City and the 20-year-old battered the Canaries' backline.

Davis was a guaranteed starter in Villa's first team for four months of last season as the team struggled to find a focal point before his introduction.

The striker earned England under-20 recognition as a result of his fine Championship performances.

Lewis Grabban's arrival in January, combined with Bruce's preference to use experience in the pressure games, meant Davis' involvement was limited during the second half of the season.

He was often excluded from under-23 matches due to being on standby for first team squads which proved frustrating for the youngster. He barely kicked a ball after Villa's FA Cup exit to Peterborough United in January.

Villa appearances: 18 (19)

Record last season: 30 appearances, 3 goals

Andre Green

Flying winger Green was the man tipped to lead Villa's charge this time last year. He thrived in pre-season and was posing Bruce huge questions heading into the season.

He eventually nailed down his spot on the left wing before he suffered a hamstring injury which required surgery. That ruled him out for three months before his return in January.

Further problems prevented him from featuring beyond January 6 last season. A couple of cameos for the under-23s at the end of the season will have boosted his confidence.

Green is out to prove to Bruce that he is a ready-made replacement for Robert Snodgrass.

Villa appearances: 11 (15)

Record last season: 7 appearances, 1 goal

Jordan Lyden

Green's roommate Lyden burst onto the first team scene two years ago with a few bright outings as Villa were relegated from the Premier League.

Like Hepburn-Murphy and Green, Lyden has been blighted by injuries in recent seasons and is desperate for a consistent run of matches.

He captained Villa's under-23s to Premier League Cup glory last season with a series of gritty displays in the heart of midfield.

The Australian midfielder is 22 now and will certainly head out on loan if Bruce can't offer him first team minutes.

Villa appearances: 5 (5)

Record last season: 15 (PL2) appearances, 5 goals - Villa U23s

Harry McKirdy

McKirdy, sporting a new bleach blond hairstyle out in Portugal, made an impression during Villa's Cup of Traditions win in Germany last July.

Bruce likes McKirdy's appetite for hard work and wants to take a prolonged look at him this summer before deciding what's the best course of action.

The striker enjoyed a successful loan spell at Crewe Alexandra during the second half of last season and is desperate to continue his first team education.

Villa appearances: 0

Record last season: 5 (11), 3 goals - Crewe

Matija Sarkic

Goalkeeper Sarkic is enjoying his second first team training camp having been called up by Bruce last year. The 20-year-old is popular with his fellow custodians Jed Steer and Mark Bunn and well-liked by coach Gary Walsh.

Sarkic endured an unsuccessful loan spell at Wigan Athletic last season which left Bruce frustrated by the state of the loan system.

The Montenegro under-21 international hopes to push for a place in first team squads next season.

Villa appearances: 0

Record last season: 11 (PL2) appearances, 3 clean sheets - Villa U23s

Jake Doyle-Hayes

Doyle-Hayes is another starlet fancied by Bruce and his coaching staff.

The 19-year-old from Ireland has an array of passes in his locker and never appears flustered on the ball. His brilliant performances last pre-season saw Bruce hand him opportunities to impress in Villa's Carabao Cup games - and he didn't disappoint.

The central midfielder knows competition is intense, particularly in his position, but he won't be overawed by the challenge.

Villa appearances: 2 (0)

Record last season: 20 (PL2) appearances, 2 goals - Villa U23s

Mitchell Clark

Versatile defender Clark is comfortable playing anywhere across the backline which could come in handy for Villa next season.

The powerfully-built 19-year-old starred for Villa's second string last season and that hasn't gone unnoticed by Bruce and his coaching staff, all of whom were regular attendees at under-23 matches.

Clark is naturally stronger at right-back or centre-back but he played at left-back during Villa's PL Cup triumph.

Villa appearances: 1 (0)

Record last season: 20 (PL2) appearances, 0 goals - Villa U23s

Jack Clarke

Elegant midfielder Jack Clarke is new to the first team scene. He was invited to train with Bruce's squad a few times last season but this is his first trip away with the seniors.

The Brummie began last season on the fringes of Kevin MacDonald's XI but quickly forced his way in and made himself undroppable.

Clarke has a wand of a left peg and scored the opening goal in Villa's thrilling 3-2 PL Cup semi-final win over Leicester City in April.

Villa appearances: 0

Record last season: 22 (PL2) appearances, 0 goals

Easah Suliman

England under-20 regular Suliman endured a disastrous loan spell at Grimsby last season which saw him return to Villa early.

For whatever reason, Suliman wasn't given a chance to impress at Grimsby and left frustrated on the sidelines.

Bruce has always intended to take a closer look at Suliman having heard good things about him from coaches within the academy.

Villa appearances: 0 (1)

Record last season: 18 appearances, 2 goals - Villa U23s