£6m Aston Villa young gun seals huge loan move to title-challenging European club

Promising young Aston Villa striker Rory Wilson has joined Austrian Bundesliga club Sturm Graz on a six-month loan deal in a major first step into senior football.

Wilson, a two-time Scotland Under-21 international, is yet to make a first-team appearance for Villa but has impressed in the youth ranks. Having turned 20 in January, Wilson wanted to take on his first senior minutes and that was not going to be at Villa for a while, so a loan move was suggested.

Now, after turning down a loan to German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim with a £6 million option to buy due to a concern over guaranteed game time, Wilson has taken the plunge. Jetting off to Austria until the end of the season, Wilson will be eager to hit the ground running and make his mark.

Rory Wilson has point to prove to Unai Emery

The striker has scored seven goals in 12 competitive appearances for Villa’s under-21 side so far this season. Wilson was on the verge of leaving last summer but agreed a new contract just before his old deal was due to expire. The current Scotland Under-21 international, formerly of Rangers, is highly thought of by Villa’s academy staff.

The recent £10 million arrival of fellow promising young striker Brian Madjo may stunt Wilson’s chances of progressing into the senior team in the seasons to come, so the Scotsman may be one to watch in the summer transfer window, unless he can prove to Unai Emery he deserves the step up.

Wilson has the perfect opportunity to do just that as he heads to Austria. Sturm Graz, the reigning Austrian Bundesliga champions, are currently fourth in the league after 18 matches played. The fight for the title is still very much on, with Sturm Graz four points off leaders RB Salzburg before the division splits in two for the remainder of the season.