Pundit shares Aston Villa 'pathway' admission as Rory Wilson contract update emerges

We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…

Alan Hutton believes that a pathway has emerged for Rory Wilson to break into the Aston Villa first team under Unai Emery as he looks set to discuss a new contract at Villa Park.

Reports emerged from Fabrizio Romano [5 November] that Villa were preparing a new five-year contract for the young forward as they looked to extend his stay at Villa Park beyond the end of his current deal which expires in 2025.

Wilson only recently turned 18 and his good form in Villa's youth academy sides has put him on the radar of a number of clubs as they look to identify future striking talent.

With his future at Aston Villa set to be tied up, Hutton has challenged Wilson to now kick on and break into Emery's first team while admitting that Rangers were disappointed to have lost the striker to Villa.

"I think Rangers were gutted," Hutton told Villa News.

"They never wanted to lose him, I think his potential was huge and the pathway would have been there originally for him at Rangers but you understand when teams like Aston Villa come calling.

"They obviously rate him very highly down there as well and it's nice to see him speaking about new contracts and different things.

"Now he will be starting to get to an age where he'll be thinking 'Can I get around the first team? Can I get opportunities within cup games?'

"That's the kind of pathway for him now. It's a bit more difficult down there but he's definitely got the ability."

Wilson has been one of the brightest talents in the U18 Premier League this season, scoring 16 goals and picking up a single assist in only 11 appearances as Villa sit seventh in the southern section of the division [Transfermarkt].

Having already made his debut for Scotland's under-21 side, Villa will have to act quickly to tie the 18-year-old down to a new deal. If he continues to develop this way, he could be Emery's number nine for years to come at Villa Park.

In other Aston Villa news, Hutton has been left thrilled by an "ideal" development out of Villa Park in the transfer window