Graham Potter pinpoints why Tariq Lamptey is a special talent for Brighton and England

Aston Villa’s strong start to the Premier League season has been propelled by the youngest team in the top flight.

Research found Villa’s starting line-ups so far this season have an average age of 25 years, four months and six days.

Captain Jack Grealish, who turned 25 in September, has led the way and has also starred for England in the current international break, while 24-year-old striker Ollie Watkins has top-scored with six goals.

Midfielder Douglas Luiz is the youngest first-team regular, aged 22, while Ezri Konsa and Matty Cash are both 23. Tyrone Mings, at just 27, is the oldest of the regular outfield starters in Dean Smith’s side, while goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is 28.

The focus on youth has not produced the same results for Brighton, next on the list with an average age of 25 years, seven months and eight days – a reduction of more than a year compared to last year’s typical XI.

Albion, who have six points from eight Premier League matches so far, also fielded the league’s youngest line-up this season in their 3-0 win over Newcastle, with an average age of just 24 years, five months and five days.

Their side features a wider spread of ages than Villa’s, with frequent starters Pascal Gross, Mat Ryan, Lewis Dunk, Dan Burn and pre-season signings Adam Lallana and Joel Veltman all 28 or older, while Steven Alzate, Alexis Mac Allister, Tariq Lamptey and Aaron Connolly are all junior to Villa’s youngest regular Luiz.

Albion head coach Graham Potter believes youthful players benefit by playing with 'no fear' and Lamptey is the perfect example.

‘He’s desperate to play, so that emotion, that desire, overrides [anything]. He doesn’t have any experiences that are telling him he can’t do this or can’t do that so he’s just going into every game wanting to show what he can do.

"He’ll learn as he goes and hopefully the experiences don’t beat him down and he remains fresh and positive and enjoying his football because ultimately that’s what you want your players to be, to enjoy it.

"I read an article the other day that named five or six top (English) international right-backs. Tariq’s a little bit different – his speed is incredible – and maybe he just offers something the others don’t.

"But it’s great for English football, there is huge competition for places and I’m sure Gareth (Southgate) would want that competition for places in all positions and not just the one but Tariq will take the fight on for sure."

Potter also excepts youthful exuberance can bring challenges and it's his role as head coach to instil that game management that only comes through experience.

"There is an element of inconsistency because you are making mistakes a little bit and finding your way," said Potter. "You are just working it out on the job so to speak.

"Game understanding has not fully developed so that can also impact things.

The positives are freshness. Sometimes the level can beat you down and you can only do what you have experienced. Whereas a young player has no boundaries there's no limit yet.

"They can just believe that they can do anything which is of course good but they can also be a challenge.

"But generally the aim is to have a nice mix. We don't pick a team based on an age. We pick a team based on who we think can help us the most.

"It's good for the future if there are some young ones in there."