Aston Villa have already begun planning for life after Ollie Watkins, and while Brian Madjo has attracted plenty of attention, another young striker could quietly emerge as a long-term option at Villa Park.
Watkins’ departure to Saudi Arabia marked the end of an important chapter for Aston Villa. The striker was one of the key figures of the club’s recent rise, helping Villa qualify for the Champions League and win the Europa League last season.
His numbers underline his importance.
Watkins recorded 16 goals and three assists in 37 Premier League appearances during the 2025/26 campaign, following 16 goals and eight assists in 38 appearances the previous season.
Replacing that production will not be straightforward, although Unai Emery’s squad now has several options.
Brian Madjo has already created a buzz
At just 17, Brian Madjo has emerged as one of the most exciting young attacking prospects around the Aston Villa first team.
The teenager is currently sidelined with injury, but his physical qualities and goalscoring potential have generated significant attention.
Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has even described Madjo as a potential “Haaland in the making”, highlighting the level of expectation surrounding the youngster.
However, Aston Villa do not necessarily need to rush Madjo into becoming Watkins’ immediate replacement.
The club spent £65m on Nicolas Jackson, giving Emery an established attacking option following Watkins’ departure.
Jackson has shown signs that he can operate effectively as Villa’s main striker, although the source notes that his finishing has occasionally been wasteful.
Rory Wilson could be the quieter option
While Madjo has attracted much of the spotlight, Rory Wilson is another young striker who could eventually force his way into Emery’s plans.
The 20-year-old has yet to make his senior Aston Villa debut, but his record at youth level provides a reason for optimism.
Since joining Villa from Rangers in 2022, Wilson has scored 40 goals in 66 appearances for the club’s academy teams.
That record suggests a striker with a natural instinct for finding the net.
Wilson’s development was interrupted by his loan spell at Sturm Graz last season. He made only five appearances for the Austrian club, limiting his opportunities to demonstrate what he could do at senior level.
He has since returned to Villa Park and has made a positive start with the Under-21s.
Rory Wilson has started the season with the Under-21s
Wilson has scored twice in three Premier League 2 appearances this season.
That is obviously a very small sample and cannot establish whether he is ready to reproduce Watkins’ goalscoring numbers in the Premier League.
Nevertheless, it provides an encouraging early sign, particularly given that the Under-21 side have not been performing at their best collectively.
Wilson’s qualities are slightly different from Watkins’.
Rather than relying on the same relentless running associated with Villa’s former striker, Wilson has been highlighted for his movement inside the penalty area and his composed finishing.
Those characteristics could eventually give Emery another type of attacking option.
Aston Villa may have several options for the future
The immediate priority should not necessarily be to throw Wilson into the Premier League while Villa’s new attacking structure is still developing.
Nicolas Jackson provides the senior option, while Madjo remains one of the club’s most exciting young forwards once he returns from injury.
Rory Wilson, meanwhile, can continue developing with the Under-21s and work towards his first-team opportunity.
If his goalscoring form continues, he could eventually become another option for Emery and potentially offer Villa a home-grown solution to the challenge created by Watkins’ departure.
For now, however, the comparison remains a projection rather than an established reality. Wilson has not yet played a senior match for Aston Villa, while Watkins spent years establishing himself as a Premier League goalscorer.
Questions Aston Villa fans may be asking
Who could replace Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa in the long term?
The source highlights Brian Madjo and Rory Wilson as two young forwards who could potentially develop into important options for Aston Villa.
Who is Rory Wilson?
Wilson is a 20-year-old Aston Villa striker who joined the club from Rangers in 2022 and has scored 40 goals in 66 academy appearances.
Has Rory Wilson played for Aston Villa’s senior team?
No. According to the source, Wilson has yet to make his senior debut for the club.
How has Rory Wilson started the 2026/27 season?
He has scored twice in three Premier League 2 appearances for Aston Villa’s Under-21s.
Is Brian Madjo injured?
Yes. The source states that the 17-year-old is currently sidelined with an injury.
Who is Aston Villa’s senior replacement for Ollie Watkins?
Aston Villa signed Nicolas Jackson for £65m following Watkins’ departure to Saudi Arabia, according to the source.
The Aston Villa News BR verdict
Ollie Watkins left a significant gap at Aston Villa, but the club appears to have several different routes to address his departure.
Nicolas Jackson can provide an immediate senior option, while Brian Madjo represents one of the most exciting prospects within the club.
Rory Wilson is a different proposition. He still needs to make his senior debut, but his academy record and early Premier League 2 form suggest he deserves to remain on Emery’s radar.
Calling Wilson the “next Watkins” would be premature at this stage. However, if he continues developing and gets the opportunity to prove himself at senior level, Aston Villa may already have another young striker capable of becoming an important part of the club’s future.
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