Ashley Preece has expressed confidence that Aston Villa prospect Carney Chukwuemeka will put pen to paper on a new contract.

The lowdown

Chukwuemeka, who's been with Aston Villa since 2016, is predominantly a central midfielder.

The £2.25million-rated teenager is currently contracted until the end of the 2022/23 season (via Transfermarkt).

He made his full Villa debut in the 1-1 draw with Brentford in August, playing 63 minutes before he was substituted.

Chukwuemeka also started in the 6-0 EFL Cup rout of League Two Barrow and featured in the subsequent defeat at Chelsea.

A scout told The Athletic last year that he is 'the best player Villa have got coming through' and that 'he can do everything in the midfield area'.

'A lot of clubs' were said to be 'monitoring his situation' at the Midlands outfit.

The latest

Addressing supporters in a Birmingham Live Q&A, Preece pointed out that Chukwuemeka will turn 18 this week and issued his prediction.

"I'm fully expecting him to sign a new contract," he wrote.

The verdict

This is great news for Villa fans given that Chukwuemeka is clearly regarded as a special talent.

If there was more uncertainty surrounding his contract, you can bet, based on what the scout was saying, that other clubs would be circling.

Signing his brother Caleb in the summer may well have helped Villa's cause, and it looks like the club will now lock up an exciting talent for years to come.

In other news, this defender came under fire against Wolves.