Chelsea striker Abraham has found form and consistency on loan at Aston Villa

When Tammy Abraham made his England debut in 2017 against Germany, he was in good company. Jordan Pickford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were also making their international bows that night.

Since then, progress for the Aston Villa striker on loan from Chelsea has been slower than for colleagues who both went to the World Cup under Gareth Southgate last summer.

But Abraham is still only 21, two years younger than Loftus-Cheek and four compared to Pickford, and there are signs he is finally living up to his potential.

The centre forward has just become the first Villa striker to score 25 league goals in a single season since Andy Gray in the 1970s and followed up with the winning penalty in last week's play-off semi-final first leg against West Brom.

If he can net again at The Hawthorns for the rematch on Tuesday night and in the Championship play-off final, he'll be a bona fide Villa legend.

Their fans will be desperate to sign him on a permanent basis, but Chelsea supporters, frustrated by Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata, will be equally keen to get 'one of their own' back to Stamford Bridge, particularly as the club are facing a transfer embargo.

Abraham, who is quick, mobile and good in the air, has seen his Chelsea career restricted to two substitute appearances, instead spending loan time at Swansea, Bristol City and now Villa.

Yet someone who knows Chelsea better than most – their former captain and now Villa assistant manager John Terry – is convinced the powerfully-built forward has what it takes to reach the top.

'I trained with him at Chelsea. When he came over from the Academy, me and Gary Cahill would think: "Oh no, here we go!" said Terry.

'We knew he could run the channels, score goals, be hungry, be passionate. The thing I love about him is that you see him on Saturday scoring goals, but he is like that in the week, running away punching the air in five-a-side games. You can't teach that, it has to come from within. Those are the people we want here.'

Abraham had just turned 20 when he won his two England caps against Germany and Brazil, both games finishing goalless.

It was probably too early for him, just off the pace for the very highest level. But in this Championship season, he has developed that vital ingredient – consistency.

Abraham has not gone more than three games without a goal all season and that's during a campaign in which it hasn't all been plain sailing. Steve Bruce was sacked and replaced by Dean Smith and even he was under pressure following a 2-0 home defeat against West Brom in February.

At the business end of the season, Abraham delivered with four goals in five matches but there is no doubting the highlight – a four-goal haul in a thrilling 5-5 draw with Nottingham Forest.

Two of Abraham's goals were from thumping headers that Gray would have been proud of. He also showed striker's instinct to finish off from close range when the ball was pinging around the penalty area. The other goal was a spot-kick comfortably rolled in.

They showcased the different types of goals Abraham has scored and Chelsea fans will be scratching their heads about why he's not at Stamford Bridge right now.

Villa would love to make his loan move permanent in a £25million deal but that leaves Chelsea with a big decision to make.

There is a worry that Abraham's strengths – he thrives on crosses from the wing – might not suit the Sarriball style.

But Loftus-Cheek has shown there is a pathway for academy players under the Italian and Abraham hopes his chance comes too.

'As a young kid, I've always believed I will play for Chelsea. I think I have the ability to,' he says. When I get the opportunity, I just have to grab it with two hands.'