After an extremely busy January transfer window, Steve Bruce has begun stamping his authority and shaping Aston Villa's squad to his own liking.
As well as the financial firepower to compete in the transfer market, Steve Bruce has one of the best academy set-ups outside of the Premier League at his disposal.
Aston Villa has developed a reputation as one of the most productive academies in the country, the Midlands club has a clear philosophy to produce players capable of playing at the highest level.
The productive academy has led directly to five first team players who are currently in Aston Villa's squad including Gary Gardner, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Nathan Baker, Andre Green and Jack Grealish.
Steve Bruce may turn to the academy again for an academy graduate or two as he looks to add further strength and depth to an already very strong squad.
This article will look at TWO wonderkids who could emerge for Aston Villa in the second half of the season.
Rushian Hepburn-Murphy
Rushian Hepburn-Murphy is one of the brightest prospects in the Aston Villa academy, however, his opportunities have been hampered due to a contractual dispute between Hepburn-Murphy and the club.
The in-demand striker was linked with a move away from the Championship club in the January transfer window but Aston Villa managed to stave off any interest in the highly coveted and highly rated 18-year-old striker.
Now that the January transfer window has closed, any potential distractions have gone which could allow a deal to be agreed between the club and Hepburn-Murphy.
This in turn could see the striker commit his long-term future to the club.
As the second youngest player in Aston Villa's history, there is no doubt about the potential and talent of the 18-year-old striker who has the ability to play at the highest level.
In eleven Premier League 2 matches, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy has shown his lethal eye for goal and prolific goal-scoring form to score seven times.
If Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Steve Bruce can make amends, the 18-year-old striker could emerge as one of Aston Villa's most valuable assets in the second half of the season.
Khalid Abdo
Khalid Abdo is a Swedish central midfielder who joined Aston Villa from Swedish side Lärje-Angereds IF when he was just 15-years-old.
Since then, Abdo has steadily progressed through Aston Villa's academy system.
After impressing for Aston Villa's Under 18 side, the Swedish midfielder has progressed to Aston Villa's Under 23 development side.
The Swedish Under 18 international has made six appearances in the Premier League 2 competition for Aston Villa - a notable highlight was the goal he scored in Aston Villa's 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough.
Although Aston Villa are heavily stacked in the central midfield positions, Khalid Abdo could be promoted by Steve Bruce as a means of ensuring that the competition for places remains high following the departure of Ashley Westwood to Burnley and Aaron Tshibola to Nottingham Forest.
The Swedish midfielder has already shown tenacity and ambitious to progress through Aston Villa's academy set up, he could be the next star to progress into Aston Villa's first team squad.