View: Aston Villa may have the real deal in Rory Wilson as academy star bags yet another match ball
Rory Wilson’s rapid rise through the footballing ranks continues to defy logic, as the Aston Villa academy striker netted a stunning hat-trick for the Scotland Under-17s on Friday, 17 February.
The Villa academy prospect, who joined the club last July after netting 49 goals for Rangers in a season, earned yet another match ball as the Scotland youth side ran away 7-0 victors over Switzerland.
This hat trick follows up his blistering trio of goals scored earlier this season for the Young Lions against Brentford in the FA Youth Cup and the signing of his first professional contract at Villa Park in January.
Over the last five years, Villa’s Bodymoor Heath academy has made itself a prestigious name within youth football across the country and has fast become one of the most popular destinations for up-and-coming players.
The coup of Wilson last summer is yet another sign of the club’s pull, with the striker already proving himself to be one of the brightest prospects not just in English football, but possibly across the continent.
There is simply nothing to dislike about Wilson’s game. Standing at six foot tall but also possessing the ability to run in behind defences, Wilson is able to play in a front two and as a lone striker if required.
His ice-cool finishing is possibly his greatest asset, with the young forward scoring goals wherever he has played in the early days of his career. So far this term, Wilson has already bagged seven goals in just six games for the Villa Under-18s, as well as three more in the FA Youth Cup and a solitary goal in the Premier League 2.
Although the young Scottish striker has left a goalscoring blaze wherever he has played his football at the academy level, Villa must be wary of the way they aid his progression.
Finding the right balance between offering opportunities at Villa Park and throwing him out to the wolves in the football league is going to be a tough one to strike. The most likely move for Wilson would be to remain with the academy for another season before planning a loan move somewhere to get some professional first-team football.
For now, supporters can sit back and enjoy the countless highlight reels the hugely promising forward is putting together.
In other Aston Villa news, the club face competition from Barcelona to secure the signing of a striker at the end of the season.