With two FA Cup goals to his name, people are starting to sit up and take notice of Nathan Delfouneso, and ask the question, is he the next graduate from Villa’s Youth setup?
His name has been around for the past 2-3 seasons now, and weve all heard about him breaking youth and reserve scoring records but so did Luke Moore and Darrius Vassell and look where they both are now.
The 18 year old has represented England at U-16, U-17 and U-19 levels scoring a combined total of 18 goals in 32 appearances.
Delfouneso, wears the number 14 shirt, something he was given in 2008 when he signed his first professional contract and a French Magazine claimed it was due for the strikers admiration for then Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.
He then became the youngest player to represent Aston Villa in europe at the age of 17 years and 195 days when he came of the bench in a Uefa Cup second round match against FH Hafnarfjörður of Iceland.
Nathan went on to make his first first team start on the 4th January 2009, in a FA Cup tie against Gillingham in which Villa won 2-1. He soon scored his first professional goal against Doncaster Rovers, also in the FA Cup that same season.
A lot is expected of this young lad, and a lot of people forget that hes still only 18. At the end of last season he was voted both Aston Villa Players Young Player of the Season and Fans Player of the Season.
The 2009-10 season as sore him score his fifth and sixth goals for the club against Blackburn and Brighton, once again both in the FA Cup.
Nathan Delfouneso, is a player who in my opinion will make a massive impact in the future on the Premier League and with the big English contingent at the club already, there is no reason why one day he can’t be representing his national side at the highest level.
I hear you ask why he wont be just another Luke Moore, well the reason i say this is because he isnt just being thrown into the big time. Martin O’Neill use’s him sporadically and won’t rush him into anything hes not ready for.
