Former Exeter City starlet Ethan Ampadu could get the perfect chance to get some Premier League game time with Aston Villa linked with a move for the Chelsea youngster.

Ampadu is one of several highly-rated youngsters on the books at Stamford Bridge having joined the club from Exeter in the summer of 2017.

Since leaving St James Park, where he came through the youth ranks, 18-year-old Ampadu has gone on to make 12 appearances for the Blues' first team, mostly in the FA Cup and in the Europa League. Only one of his appearances so far has come in the Premier League.

Despite his lack of first team game time at Stamford Bridge, Ampadu is very much part of Ryan Giggs' Welsh national team and he played in both their recent European Championship qualifying losses to Croatia and Hungary.

Ampadu has suffered from back injuries lately, but came off the bench in the 66th minute against Croatia before starting against the Hungarians. He played just short of an hour before being replaced by Manchester City youngster Matt Smith.

Ampadu's development would certainly be best served with some time away from Stamford Bridge, although he could get more opportunity this coming season, depending on who the new Chelsea boss will be.

Maurizio Sarri has agreed to take over at Juventus leaving the Blues without a manager, but it seems Frank Lampard could be set for an emotional return to the place he calls home if the club can agree a £4 million compensation package with Derby County for his services.

Chelsea are under a two-window transfer embargo right now, something they have appealed and taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after an initial appeal to FIFA's Appeal committee was rejected in April.

If the ban was to stand - and Lampard took over at the Bridge - then he may be less reluctant to allow Ampadu to head out on loan, where he would link up with former Blues captain John Terry, who is now assistant manager to the Premier League newcomers.

According to the Guardian's Stuart James, "Villa will face competition if Chelsea let Ampadu go out. But a move to Villa Park has its merits."

Ampadu is likely to get plenty of game time for a club that has just come up from the Championship as manager Dean Smith builds a squad capable of staying in the top flight next season.