Went on to become part of the Villa fitness coaching set-up.

“It was a bit like waiting to see the headmaster.
“Each of the lads had an appointment to go into the office and see Steve [Burns, Academy Director] and Tony [McAndrew, u18s Coach].
“We were doing some work in the gym and then called in one by one. I knew what was coming. Me and my dad had asked to be kept informed all along the way so that we could make alternative plans if I wasn’t being kept on.
“I’d been able to prepare myself mentally, but it’s still hard to take when it is made final. It’s awkward because at the time there are lads who are being kept on and lads who aren’t, so there’s a swirl of emotions going on.
“It was a shock to the system, but I’ve got good people around me, especially my dad, who was with me every step of the way. They helped me come to terms with it.
“It’s such a great upbringing as a young player because of the facilities – and the coaches are first-class.
“They really look after you. I came through the youth system and played up to under-21s level with Villa. It’s the club my whole family support so it was a dream come true.
“But eventually you just know whether you are good enough, whether you are up the level you need to be and I wasn’t – simple as that.
“It was heartbreaking being released at the time.
“I can say that looking back on it now, but I’ve done well since then so I’m staying positive.
“You dream of playing for the club you support, especially a club like Aston Villa, but there is life outside of playing, even if you want to stay inside football, which ideally is what I want to do.
“Villa have been brilliant with me. They’ve put me on to other clubs for trials through the football side of things and helped to show me around universities through the education side of things and now given me a coaching job too.
“I’m enjoying it, it’s as close to the academy standard as you can probably get.
“There are a lot of lads in a similar position to me who have been released from clubs.
“The main thing has been getting on the sports science course – I love it. I wanted to do something I knew I would be interested in and if I can qualify to be a fitness coach that would be great.
“I was in the same age group as lads like Jordan Graham, Callum Robinson, Josh Webb and Brad Lewis. Jack Grealish was the year below, so I grew up with them” he explains.
“Of course there’s a little bit of...I wouldn’t call it jealously...you would love to be where they are and still have a chance of playing for Villa.
“But they’re my best mates now. You feel pride more than anything that they’re doing so well.
‘‘We still keep in touch, still text each other, meet up, have a laugh. Hopefully they’ll be playing for Villa and I’ll be supporting them. I wouldn’t change a thing about my time at Villa. I loved it there.
“I made so many friends and all of the academy staff and coaches have been so good to me.
‘‘They still are – if I need any advice or need to pop to see them the door’s always open.
“Having that experience of football hasn’t put me off. Not at all. If anything it has helped me realise that I’ve got to keep working hard for a career, if not playing, then doing something else I enjoy in football.”

Oli Stevenson, 2013.