Tobias Mikaelsson has been one of the stars of the Villa reserve team this season. In fact, many at the club believe he is destined for a first team place in the not too distant future. But "Toby" as he is known, was once an unwanted player:
"Well it was a manager back in Sweden. I was on trial for that team, but they didn't want me and he knew Bryan Jones and some of the managers in the club.
He said if I wanted to go on trial here in Villa, they need a striker - so I went here on a week loan and after it they said if I want to sign then I sign the week after that.
It was a shock at first, but when I got a few days to relax and thought about it everybody thought it was a great opportunity.
Before that I always thought that to get good education comes before football. When I got this opportunity there was no hesitation, just take it and see how it goes."
Since then he hasn't looked back and has fired an impressive 8 goals in 9 outings for the Villa second string. The young Swede is currently on loan at League One strugglers Port Vale and is enjoying every minute of it. He said:
"Obviously it's hard to come to a club in the relegation zone, but I think I'm getting into it and getting used to it.
I think we can improve and win some games because at the moment we haven't got the results that we want, but we can do a lot better.
I think it's nice here. It's good experience as well."
The young Swede is looking to follow the example of Villa players past and present that have broken into the first team after being on loan. He cites Gabby Agbonlahor as a good example:
"Obviously I try to look more at the strikers. I haven't really thought of myself as any of the players. Obviously I want to break into the first team like Gabby has done over the last few years.
"I just take one game at a time. I just try to do my best and see how it goes. I haven't really got any goals. I just hope I can break into the first team at whatever level I will play in. "