Carney Chukwuemeka and Aaron Ramsey scored in extra time as England beat Israel in the European Under-19 Championship. 

There was a sense of fortune around both the young Villans’ goals as they struck in extra time to seal a 3-1 victory, completing a comeback against Israel to win the tournament for the second time in five years. 

Carney Chukwuemeka chested in England’s second in the 108th minute to put England ahead, the ball bouncing awkwardly in front of him as he appeared to stick out his foot to connect before directing the ball into the back of the net with his chest. 

Just eight minutes later Aaron Ramsey, subbed on at 58 minutes, sealed victory for England, smashing into an open goal following a parried save from the Israel shot-stopper. 

Fellow young Lion Tim Iroegbunam came off the bench in the 73rd minute to make it 3 Villa players on the pitch as the final whistle went. 

The youngsters are following in the footsteps of players such as Mason Mount, Reece James and Aaron Ramsdale, who won the tournament in 2017 and have gone on to become key players for Chelsea and Arsenal. 

Aaron Ramsey’s older brother, Jacob, has just had a breakout season with the senior Villa squad, registering 6 goals and 1 assist to finish as the team’s third top-scorer. Following his success with the England U19s, Aaron will be doing everything he can to make the step up at club level and join his brother on the pitch. 

Chukwuemeka contract up in the air

While Ramsey committed his future to Aston Villa by signing a professional contract in March 2021, there are serious doubts over the future of Chukwuemeka. Highly rated by head coach Steven Gerrard and the backroom staff, Chukwuemeka has stalled over renewing his contract with the club. Now entering the final 12 months of his deal, top European clubs such as Liverpool and Barcelona are said to be monitoring the midfielder’s situation closely. 

At just 18 years old, Chukwuemeka’s minutes in the first-team have been limited as Jacob Ramsey, 20, has been given the opportunity to develop in the senior setup alongside John McGinn and Douglas Luiz. 

The arrival of Boubacar Kamara on a free transfer from Marseille will further complicate Chukwuemeka’s route to the first-team, but at just 18 years old time is on his side. And while a move to the likes of Barcelona or Liverpool would entice many young players, it is unlikely improve his chances for game-time in the short-term. 

Steven Gerrard and co have an important job ahead of them to convince one of the latest jewels of the youth academy to commit his long-term future to Aston Villa.