Max Aarons is loving playing alongside England’s best young talent, as he focuses on making sure his positive international form benefits Norwich City in the Premier League.
The right-back's cross was superbly smashed in by Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi, who already has two senior caps and was being linked with a big-money move to Bayern Munich earlier this year, to spark a 5-1 qualifying rout of Austria in Milton Keynes on Tuesday night.
Top talents such as Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden, Arsenal duo Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah - who scored a hat-trick - and Burnley winger Dwight McNeil were all in Aidy Boothroyd's team, with Canaries duo Ben Godfrey and Todd Cantwell absent with minor injuries.
"Really pleased, Austria were a good side and to get that assist early on was really good for me, and the team were excellent for the rest of the game," Aarons said after earning his fourth cap.
"The strength of this under-21 side is unbelievable, these players are unlucky to not be in the senior team really, so to be alongside them just makes my job easier. It's great to be playing with players who are on that level.
"Aidy told us at half-time to be careful and not get complacent so we came out in the second half and that's what we tried to do, to stay on it. Even though they scored I don't think they ever looked like they were going to get back into the game."
PLAYER WATCH: Slick display from Canaries ace Aarons as assist helps England U21s thrash Austria
Aarons confirmed that he was taken off on the hour mark with his club career in mind, and not because of any injury concern, having missed two Premier League games recently after hurting his ankle when last on England U21 duty.
"I didn't expect to be back so soon from my injury for my club, let alone England," he explained. "So to even be available for this game was good - and to top it off with an assist was even better, especially in MK as well."
The 19-year-old, who was born in London but raised in Milton Keynes, added: "It was great to be back because it meant I could have so many family and friends there.
"It's been a really good 10 days, it's been a really positive trip, both games have been really good and testing as well, so hopefully I can take that back in to this Saturday (at Bournemouth) with Norwich."
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