At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead physical performance for U21s, maximising player health and availability.
- Company: Join a Premier League club with a strong commitment to player development.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, career growth, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for mentoring and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the next generation of elite footballers.
- Qualifications: BSc in Sport Science, MSc preferred, and experience in elite performance environments.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Department: Football Division – Boys Academy Medical and Sport Science Department
Hours of Work: Full-time (working patterns aligned to the demands of elite football, including matchdays and travel where required)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Attractive Remuneration Package depending on experience
Location: Bodymoor Heath Training Ground
Closing Date: Sunday 21 June 2026
The Department
Our Boys Academy is a Premier League Category One environment, built on delivering consistent, high-performance support across every stage of the player pathway. Operating at the intersection of development and elite performance, our Sport Science and Medicine Department plays a critical role in preparing players for the demands of First Team football.
Working closely with the Loans and Emerging Talent and First Team multi-disciplinary team's (MDT), we ensure players progress with the robustness, availability, and performance capacity required to succeed at the highest level.
The Role
This is a senior role within the Academy performance structure, where you will lead the Physical Performance provision for the U21s squad and directly influence the development of players progressing towards First Team Football.
The Opportunity
- Lead the U21s Physical Performance provision at one of the Premier League's most ambitious clubs within a Category One Academy
- Travel and lead on the physical preparations for the UEFA Youth League and Premier League 2 fixtures
- Maximise player health, robustness, and availability
- Develop, mentor and challenge players/staff to consistently raise standards across the pathway
Your Impact
- Integrate physical performance into the heart of tactical and technical training, working hand-in-hand with coaches to make every session count
- Turn data into decisions — using GPS, VALD, wellness monitoring, and Power BI to keep every player performing and available
- Build the next generation of First Team footballers, designing impactful gym and pitch programmes that develop physically elite, robust athletes ready for the top level
The Person
To be considered for this role, you will need to hold the following qualifications:
- BSc (Hons) Sport Science (minimum 2:1)
- MSc in Sport Science / Strength and Conditioning (or equivalent)
- British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) accreditation (or in progress)
- UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) accreditation or equivalent (or in progress)
You will already be operating within an elite, full-time performance environment, with experience delivering physical performance support to high-level athletes—ideally within the Professional Development Phase. Your approach will be collaborative and evidence informed. You will demonstrate the ability to work effectively within and contribute to a MDT, communicating complex physical performance data in a clear and impactful way to coaches, players, and wider performance staff. Experience and confidence in utilising technologies such as GPS, VALD, wellness monitoring platforms, and Power BI to drive decision-making would be highly valued.
You will thrive in a high-performing MDT, building strong relationships and influencing across disciplines to ensure the player remains central, with stakeholders consistently aligned and informed. While not essential, experience within a Category One Academy (EPPP), First Team environments, and mentoring practitioners would be advantageous.
Why join us?
Our drive to succeed is visible on the global stage, we are building a family ethos and culture to be proud of and realising our ambitious plans for the expansion and improvement of our world‐class facilities. We offer staff benefits that support career and wellbeing. For more detail see our Staff Benefits booklet.
Equal Opportunity
Aston Villa Football Club celebrates the diversity of its Club and embraces equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, sex and religion or belief.
Lead Physical Performance Coach (Boys Academy) employer: Aston Villa Football Club
Aston Villa Football Club is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive environment for those passionate about developing elite football talent. With a commitment to staff wellbeing and career progression, employees benefit from working at a Premier League Category One Academy, where they can make a significant impact on the next generation of footballers while enjoying a family-oriented culture and world-class facilities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Physical Performance Coach (Boys Academy)
✨Show Your Expertise in the Gym
Get into your local fitness scene and start offering free workshops or training sessions. This not only showcases your skills but also gets your face out there. People love to connect with trainers who are active in their community!
✨Engage on Social Media
Use platforms like Instagram or TikTok to share workout tips, success stories, or transformations you’ve facilitated. Tagging your content with local fitness community hashtags can help you gain visibility and connect with potential clients or employers like Aston Villa Football Club.
✨Connect with Local Gyms and Fitness Studios
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We think you need these skills to ace Lead Physical Performance Coach (Boys Academy)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Trends:Stay ahead of the curve by mentioning any current fitness trends or methods you’ve incorporated into your training practice. If you've got experience in areas like HIIT, functional training or nutrition coaching, share that! It shows us you’re serious about your development and can adapt to meet client needs.
How to prepare for a job interview at Aston Villa Football Club
✨Showcase Your Knowledge of Fitness Trends
Make sure you're clued up on the latest fitness trends and methodologies. We should be ready to discuss how your training philosophy aligns with modern practices, or how you can implement new techniques that could benefit clients at Aston Villa Football Club.
✨Demonstrate Your Client Management Skills
Being a personal trainer isn’t just about knowing workouts; it’s also about how you manage and motivate clients. We should think of examples where you've developed personalised training plans or motivated clients to hit their goals, and how you can apply that at Aston Villa Football Club.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to encounter practical scenarios in your interview, like demonstrating an exercise or discussing how you'd help a client overcome specific challenges. We should prepare for these by practicing key exercises and thinking through our coaching cues and support strategies.
✨Get to Know Aston Villa Football Club's Clientele
Since it's a full-time gig, understanding the specific clientele Aston Villa Football Club caters to is key. We should look into their target demographics and think about how our experience aligns with their needs, ensuring we can hit the ground running from day one.
