He came from Watford in July last year, we've paid quite a large sum in compensation and yesterday he signed his first professional contract.

Harry Forrester might be older than Wayne Rooney when he made his Premier League debut but all the talk from the club is positive and if we believe all the talk he'll be the next big thing.

The thing is, the lad still is only a prospect. A talented prospect no doubt, but we've had so many over the last few years and have so many right now, that all we can really do is wait to see if he comes good.

You used to be able to say at 17 that someone was still a kid but not any more. At 17 they're young men, adults - ready to venture out into the big bad world and make their own way.

When Wayne Rooney was seventeen years old he was already a multi millionaire from football. Rooney isn't the benchmark for youngsters coming good but if you could find the next one you'd be happy.

I fancy we'll see how good this lad is over the next 12 months, much like we'll see if Zoltan Stieber, now nineteen years old, has what it takes while on loan at Yeovil for the rest of the month.

Prospects are good for the club but right now, I'd quite like to see some proven quality come in. Twenty-three days to go.

Comments (10)

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holteender4lyf said:

Nice post. Anyone know anything about transport for away games? I'd like to see quaresma come to the villa! although i think we need to tighten up at right back and right wing

January 08, 2008

Swissvillan said:

I agree Damian, we've seen so many prospects come and go over the years that it's difficult to get too excited. Then again if one in ten turn out to be a Barry or even a Tony Daley and a few others like Vassel, Ridgewell, Hendrie et al. then I'm not going to complain. Has anyone been following Stieber's progress? I saw he scored one the other week but he always seems to get taken off or used as a sub - doesn't look like he's tearing up any trees down there. I think the right-sided problem has been well documented and the match against ManU showed that Mellberg & Petrov just aren't right sided players.

January 08, 2008

AmericanVillan said:

First Young and now Forrester? Sounds like Watford is our own personal supermarket

January 08, 2008

andy5759 said:

Damian, doesn't MON's transfer window open in 21 day's time?

January 08, 2008

Ian said:

Super - I'll hang onto my 2012 seat! www.claretandbluewedding.com

January 08, 2008 | url

stevievillaa said:

hopefully he'll b great player 4 years 2 come but we need higher profile players than that..am i the only worried vila fan out there?we are not buyin players good enought i think. the likes of harewood knight r simply not good enought plus headin into season with no rite back is a joke.. we r flyin this season but imagine where wed b with proper rite back rite winger and def needed another striker as i dont think carew is 20 goal a season striker..i think we hav good spine and def good manager but please take da finger out martin and start bringin in the world class players u promised us start of season..

January 08, 2008

Villa_Rules said:

This lad will be class really glad his signed a new contract il surely be lookin out for him over the next few years

January 09, 2008

McKenn1 said:

Villa fans don't despair. I have had the pleasure of seeing H develop into one of the finest young talents this country has seen. He is still a kid, but he is an intelligent footballer with pace, vision and an eye for goal. You should be excited that this versatile hot prospect did in fact choose to sign for you and not any of the other interested clubs! I can't wait to see him make his debut, probably on the right where you are clearly struggling!

January 09, 2008

pazzler said:

we need to get our arses in gear. either buy, or try one of the 'hot prospects'

January 09, 2008

Betting Villain said:

It's always exciting to get young prospects... but like has already been said, I never want to get too ahead of myself. Like Swissvillan said.. you will get some who turn into the likes of Liam Ridgewell. Andy5759 .. true! Hopefully there will be some players brought in who can go straight into the first team.. hopefully a right-back!

January 09, 2008 | url

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