Tommi O'Reilly stretches his arms out wide asking for the ball during a game for Shrewsbury TownGetty Images
Dan Wheeler, BBC Sport, West MidlandsandGraham McGarry, BBC Radio Stoke
Crewe Alexandra's on-loan Aston Villa midfielder Tommi O'Reilly says he is surprised how quickly he has progressed at the Mornflake Stadium this season.
His season-long spell with the Alex is the third loan move of his young career after stints with Shrewsbury Town and MK Dons last season.
The 21-year-old, who has played once for Villa's first team - in the Europa Conference League nearly two years ago - has started every game for Crewe so far.
His goal in the 3-1 win over Shrewsbury on Saturday was his third of the season - the joint most in the league for the club.
O'Reilly says the speed of his development has been a bit of a shock.
"Yeah it has, I didn't think I'd be starting this many games and playing this many minutes," he told BBC Radio Stoke.
"I want it to continue for the rest of the season and get as many goals and assists as I can and see where that takes us."
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O'Reilly made his league debut for Shrewsbury at the start of last term - one of 12 appearances he made in League One during his six-month loan.
He went back out on loan during January to MK Dons for the rest of that campaign, which brought 16 more league outings, including three starts, and his first senior goal.
O'Reilly says he took his time to decide the best club to join this season and is very happy that things are working out under Alex boss Lee Bell.
"It was an important decision for me because I've had a few loans," he said.
"I wouldn't say they were bad, I'd say I've had to learn from them and hopefully this loan will be good for me.
"It was really important I chose a team that would suit me football-wise and I think it's shown that when I've got that I can deliver the goods.
"My aim was to come here and play as many games as I can and the gaffer's helping me do that by putting me in the team and trusting me to play.
"Hopefully I can keep repaying him and the fans and show them I'm good enough to be in the team."
Eighth-placed Crewe go to Oldham on Saturday hoping to make it three wins in a row in League Two as they try to close the four-point gap to leaders Walsall.
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