One to watch #4: Nathan Delfouneso

Name: Nathan Delfouneso
Date of Birth: 2nd February, 1991
Position: Striker
Club: Aston Villa
Honours: Victory Shield, 2006

                  Barclays Premier Reserve League, 2008/09

Aston Villa Apps: 8
Aston Villa Goals: 3

International Apps: England U16’s - 8
                                    England U17’s – 5
                                    England U19’s - 9
International Goals:
                                    England U16’s - 3
                                    England U17’s – 6
                                    England U19’s – 3

A French magazine recently compared him to Thierry Henry and he does have the ability to emulate his idol. Delfouneso possesses great pace, skill and has a key eye for goal. 

Delfouneso started his glistening scoring record in the 2007/08 season for Aston Villa’s reserves. He ended the campaign scoring 22 in 41, a record that prompted Villa boss O’Neill to include him more frequently the following season. 

He made his first-team appearance in the FA Cup against Gillingham and a month later he added to that by scoring in the FA Cup fourth round reply against Doncaster Rovers. Following this, he then featured in Europe against Icelandic opponents FH Hafnarfjorour. This appearance made him the youngest player to appear in Europe at 17 years and 195 days. To add to this, he then scored in his first competitive start in Europe against MSK Zilina and again against Hamburg SV.

He continued to feature by appearing against Spurs and Everton in the Premier League.

Delfouneso ended a superb year by collecting Aston Villa Players Young Player of the Year and Aston Villa Supporters Young Player of the Year. He completed a third gong on 13th May, 2009 by netting a goal in a 3-1 victory over Sunderland in the Reserves League insuring Villa won the title.