The 18-year-old came into the spotlight last season after scoring in the FA cup defeat against Liverpool, a game which saw Villa's youngster having to step into the shoes of the senior side and take on Jurgen Klopp's men.
That appearance was his sole outing for Dean Smith's first-team, and now, Preece has confirmed that as well as seeing his contract extended, the Midlands club is expected to include him in plans for pre-season.
Villa has entended Louie Barry's contract following the teenage striker's exploits last season. The club have triggered a clause that will keep the academy prospect at the club until 2024.
"Aston Villa have extended Louie Barry's contract by another year until 2024 with a cluster of fellow FA Youth Cup winners penning new deals," he said.
Barry joined the Aston Villa youth team from Barcelona for a fee of £950,000 around 18 months ago and is now expected to feature in Dean Smith's first-team plans over pre-season. Barry started his career at Albion, later joining Barcelona where he stayed six months in a spell surrounded by controversies.
Supporters will no doubt be buzzing with the forward's progress throughout his spell with the club and expect long-term consistency from the forward in the future.
Gabby Agbonlahor has tipped Louie Barry alongside another Villa youth Carney Chukkwemeka for a role in the Aston Villa first-team next season. With the majority of the club's young talent heading out for load, the club is keen to keep the two prospects in keen observation as they can lead to becoming key personalities in the squad in the future.
With only Wesley and Keinan Davis providing real back-up for Ollie Watkins —and neither convinced with only 12 goals in 110 games for the club — there's a real chance for the young forward to stake his claim in the first team next season in the Premier League.
Giving Barry the opportunity to train with the rest of the senior squad in pre-season will surely give Smith a first-hand opportunity to see what he is capable of doing in a more intense environment than that of the U23s, and get him used to the speed and intensity of the Premier League.
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