Ramsey joined the youth academy of Aston Villa at the age of six.[4] He was often amongst the smallest players in his age group in youth football and would supplement his football training with boxing training with his father, an ex-professional boxer, in order to build muscle.[5]
On 15 January 2019, Ramsey signed a professional contract with Aston Villa.[6] Ramsey caught national attention playing for Aston Villa U18s in the 2018–19 FA Youth Cup, scoring 2 goals in every round, until the Fifth Round. On 2 February 2019, Ramsey was given a straight red card less than ten minutes into Villa's Fifth Round defeat against AFC Bournemouth U18s.[7] While suspended for the youth team, Ramsey joined first team training to "make up the numbers" during a spate of injuries.[5] After training with the first team, Ramsey was selected by manager Dean Smith to be on the bench for a Championship game against Brentford on 13 February 2019 in which he was an unused substitute and then made his professional debut with Aston Villa as a 61st minute substitute in a 2–0 loss to West Bromwich Albion three days later.[8][9]
On 1 May 2019, at the Aston Villa End-of-Season awards, Ramsey was named "2018–19 Academy Player of the Season".[10]
On 31 January 2020, Ramsey signed for Doncaster Rovers on loan for the remainder of the 2019–20 season. On the same day, he signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Aston Villa.[11] On 4 February 2020, Ramsey made his Doncaster debut, in a 3–0 away victory over Tranmere Rovers, in which he scored his first two goals in senior football.[12] However, the EFL League One season was initially postponed and, on 9 June 2020, ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom[13] and Ramsey re-joined the Aston Villa squad ahead of the resumption of the Premier League.[14]
On 15 September 2020, Ramsey was given his first ever start for Aston Villa, in a 3–1 victory over Burton Albion in the EFL Cup.[15] On 28 September, he made his Premier League debut as a second-half substitute in a 3–0 away win over Fulham. On 12 December, he made his first league start for Villa in a 1–0 away win over West Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.[16]
On 9 February 2021, Ramsey signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with the club.[17]
On 22 October 2021, Ramsey scored his first goal for Aston Villa in the Premier League, a late consolation goal in a 3–1 defeat to Arsenal.[18] Ramsey was voted Aston Villa's player of the month for December 2021 by fans, a month in which he scored his second Premier League goal – a solo run and finish in a 2–0 victory over Norwich City which was also voted goal of the month.[19] On 15 January 2022, Ramsey scored his first goal at Villa Park against Manchester United.[20] On 9 February, Ramsey scored two goals against Leeds United, marking his first Premier League brace.[21] On 26 April 2022, Ramsey signed a contract extension with Aston Villa, lasting until 2027.[22] On 12 May, at Villa's 2021–22 End Of Season awards, Ramsey was voted Young Player of the Season by supporters, and Player's Player of the Season by his teammates.[23]
On 6 November 2022, Ramsey scored an own goal and for Villa in the same game, a 3–1 home victory over Manchester United.[24] After a successful 2022–23 season, Ramsey was recognised by the Premier League with the "2022/23 Premier League Academy Graduate" award.[25] At the Aston Villa end of season awards, Ramsey was named Young Player of the Season for the second season running.[26]
Ramsey missed much of the 2023–24 season for Villa, making only 16 appearances (half of which he started), due to a hamstring injury (in January) and two foot injuries (a metatarsal fracture in July while playing for England's U21S (which reoccurred in October) and a toe injury in a match against Luton Town in March).[27] On 1 August 2024, Ramsey was confirmed to be fit ahead of the new season, featuring in a pre-season tour of the United States.[28]
International career
Ramsey was born in England to a Jamaican father and English mother.[29] He represented the England U18s at the UAE Sports Chain Cup in March 2019[30][31][32] and the Slovakia Cup in May 2019.[33] On 5 September 2019, he made his England U19s debut during a 3–1 victory over Greece at St. George's Park.[34] On 13 October 2020, Ramsey made his debut for the England U20s and scored during a 2–0 victory over Wales at St. George's Park.[35]
On 7 October 2021, Ramsey made his debut for the England U21s during a 2–2 U21 EURO qualifying away draw to Slovenia.[36] On 25 March 2022, Ramsey scored his first goal for England U21s, in a 4–1 victory over Andorra.[37]
On 14 June 2023, Ramsey was included in the England squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[38][39] He scored a goal in their opening group match against Czech Republic.[40] A metatarsal injury sustained in the quarter-final victory over Portugal ruled him out of their final two games of the competition,[41] a tournament the Young Lions ultimately went on to win.[42][43]
Personal life
Ramsey was born in the Great Barr area of Birmingham[44] and attended the Barr Beacon School in Walsall.[4] His younger brothers are both also footballers, Aaron plays for Burnley having graduated through the Aston Villa academy and Cole plays for the Villa U18's.[45][46] His father Mark was a professional boxer, who fought future unified light-welterweight world champion Ricky Hatton twice early in his career, losing both times on a points decision.[47][48]
