Stephen Ireland

An attacking midfield player who joined Aston Villa from Manchester City in August 2010.

After progressing through City's academy set-up, Stephen made his senior debut for the club in September 2005, coming on as a substitute against Bolton. He became a regular in the side, going on to claim the club's Player of the Year trophy in 2007-08. Stephen joined Villa at the start of the 2010-11 season and made his debut at Newcastle.

Despite a promising start, a series of niggling injuries meant he was unable to regain his place in the side, later spending time on loan to Newcastle United where he was again affected by injuries.

However, during 2011-12 he began to settle into the side and produced a string of consistent performances, including a superb display during Villa’s 3-1 win at Chelsea on New Year’s Eve when he scored his first goal for the club. He became a regular and ended the season by winning the Terrace Trophy for the Supporters’ Player of the Year.

Stephen is a player with mercurial ball control and passing ability, and is a full international for the Republic of Ireland.