Villa land top prospect

Villa have seen off Manchester United and Tottenham to land one of the country's top prospects.

England youth international Harry Forrester was today due to sign a three-year contract at Villa after being bowled over by the club's new £13m training complex.

The 15-year-old schoolboy, who can play in central midfield, wide or up front, has turned down a two-year scholarship with Watford to end a five-year association with the Vicarage Road club.

United and Tottenham were among a host of clubs chasing the attacking midfielder who was a fixture in the England under-16 side last season.

"He will sign today," confirmed Villa's Academy director Bryan Jones.

"He spoke to all three clubs and obviously he was impressed by what he saw here – he liked the new facilities and felt comfortable with the set-up and the staff and decided to sign.

"We're always after good players and Harry has a great reputation in the game already.

"He's been playing in the same England under-16s side as our striker Nathan Delfounso which is where we became aware of him.

"My staff as well as myself have watched him and he became available at the end of June having turned down a contract offer from Watford.

"He's a raw talent but he has a great work ethic and we hope he will develop over the next three years.

"He can play wide in a three up front or off a central striker, but he actually prefers to play in central midfield."