Most young players are recruited by professional clubs on the basis of how they perform on the pitch. In Isaiah Osbourne's case, a spot of ball juggling on the touchline did the trick.

All he was supposed to be doing, in fact, was watching his older brother Isaac in action.

"The way I got to join Villa was quite funny," says the 20-year-old midfielder. "My brother Isaac used to be at Derby, and my Dad used to take me to watch him train.

"We were doing some kick-ups with a ball at the side of the pitch and the coach came over asked me to go training at Derby. He also worked for Villa, and a little while later he suggested that I came here.

"At the time I didn't mind which club I went to. I just wanted to get into football. I must have shown a little bit of magic on the touchline!"

That was 11 years ago, and things have turned out well for both brothers. Isaac is now a Coventry City regular, while Isaiah is gradually establishing himself at Villa Park.

Although he has started only three matches all season, compared with eight in 2006-07, he has been a member of Martin O'Neill's 16-man squad since January and has had some involvement in the majority of games during that period.

For all that, the quietly-spoken youngster from Erdington admits it has taken him quite a while to feel at ease in the goldfish bowl environment of the Barclays Premier League.

"It took me the whole of last season to feel okay," he says. "It's only now that I really feel comfortable. My confidence level is much higher than it used to be.

"I feel more comfortable than when I first came into the team. The first team training was different to the reserves and I struggled to adjust.

"But when I'm around the players I'm not so quiet now - and I'm getting to be the same way on the pitch. I'm starting to say a few things!"

Having been on Villa's books since he was nine, Osbourne has graduated through the youth team and reserves, where his team-mates included fellow local lads Gabby Agbonlahor, Craig Gardner and Luke Moore.

"Gabby was the most local one to me when I was growing up. He lived about five minutes away from me and he used to run past our house all the time.

"I didn't really know him then, but when he started coming to Villa I realised who he was."

Agbonlahor's rapid progress meant he was already a Villa regular by the time Isaiah made his first team debut against Fulham in October 2006.

But while the young midfielder was a later developer than his former neighbour, he admits his breakthrough still came as a total surprise.

Although he had been training with the squad for a while, he arrived for the Fulham game expecting to enjoy some nuggets and chips before watching from the stand. But was named as a substitute for the first time and went on to replace Steven Davis for the final seven minutes.

"That was a big shock and it was amazing when I got on the pitch, particularly when I heard a couple of fans shouting my name.

"I don't eat so many chips these days - they slow you down! You have to be very conscious about your diet."

The following Wednesday, Osbourne was in the starting line-up for the first time, playing the full 90 minutes - plus half an hour extra-time as Villa won 3-2 at the Walkers Stadium.

His season came to an end in March because of a groin problem and his starting appearances this season have been restricted to two League Cup-ties and the league match away to today's opponents Bolton.

In recent times, though, he has been a regular on the bench and has frequently been introduced to the action, never more effectively than when he stepped into the pressure cooker atmosphere of the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal.

"To play in such a big stadium was pretty special," he says. "I really enjoyed playing at Anfield and Old Trafford, as well. Now I want to play at Stamford Bridge, but that will obviously have to wait.

"I want establish myself as a regular in the team. We have some great players here. Gareth Barry and Patrik Berger are so composed on the ball and they tell me to take my time. They encourage me to calm things down.

"People tell me I'm laid back when I'm on the pitch, although I can't see it. Butt's a big thing to be part of a club like this and I'm really happy here."