Aston Villa were not busy during the recent January transfer window as Johan Lange and Unai Emery only opted to make two additions to the side.

The Villans brought in Jhon Duran and Alex Moreno, from Chicago Fire and Real Betis respectively, and allowed striker Danny Ings to leave to join Premier League rivals West Ham United.

Transfers are not the only way the club can improve their squad, however, as the academy system in place at Villa have produced some excellent prospects - including the likes of Jack Grealish, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Jacob Ramsey in recent years.

One player who Emery could look to unearth from the youth side in the future is 17-year-old centre-forward Rory Wilson, formerly of Rangers, as the gem has been in fine form since joining the academy set-up.

The teenager, who scored a staggering 49 goals at youth level in the 2021/22 campaign, could be the long-term heir to Ollie Watkins' position in the side.

Watkins, 27, will be in his 30s by the time Wilson is in his 20s and the Scottish marksman could be the natural successor to the England international, who has been Villa's go-to man for goals in recent seasons.

He was the club's top goalscorer in the Premier League in the 2021/22 and 20/21 campaigns and has scored three times in his last six league outings for the club this term.

Wilson's stunning record in the academy set-up indicates that the ex-Gers dynamo could be the man to take Watkins' place if he can continue to develop and then adapt to first-team football.

The 17-year-old, who reporter Jonty Colman hailed as a "goal machine", was once described as being “obsessed with becoming the best” by James Grady - one of his coaches at international level - something that suggests the young forward has the drive required to keep progressing. 

His 49 goals in 2021/22 have been followed up with seven stikes in seven matches for Villa's U18 team this season, whilst the attacker has also bagged 12 goals in 13 games for Scotland's U17s.

Wilson, who only turned 17 last month, has proven himself to be a prolific scorer at club and international level and his magnificent form in the penalty area indicates that the youngster is a promising prospect who could make the senior squad in the future if he continues to improve.

Therefore, Emery could unearth Watkins' long-term heir at Aston Villa by working with the young Scot to help him fulfil his potential in the coming years.