Hepburn-Murphy signing adds more Villa firepower
After months of deliberation, 18-year old striker Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Aston Villa agree to terms on a three and a half year deal. The forward’s previous deal ran out in the summer.
What terrific news Aston Villa supporters were handed on Friday. Rushian Hepburn-Murphy agreed to terms on a deal that can keep him in the claret and blue until 2020. With the sudden announcement of Gabby Agbonlahor’s long-term hamstring injury, could RHM be an integral part for Villa moving forward?
Delighted to have signed a new Three-and-a-half year deal with @AVFCOfficial now time to get back fit and work even harder🦁❤ pic.twitter.com/5MBv9ukRsf
— Rushian H-Murphy (@Rushcmpt) February 3, 2017
It is very possible. Jonathan Kodjia and new signing Scott Hogan will share strike duties the rest of the season, but who is behind them? Rudy Gestede was sold to Middlesbrough. Ross McCormack was loaned to Nottingham Forest.
Fellow youth star Keinan Davis remains highly rated, but even he is far too raw for extended looks in the first team.
Hepburn-Murphy is a more complete player. A 6’1″ striker with pace to burn and a knack for finding the back of the net at all youth levels. RHM is a regular on the England youth setup – someone, who when called upon, could serve as an added weapon for Steve Bruce.
Rushian is firmly entrenched as Villa’s third striker at the moment. He noted on social media that he needs to work back his fitness after an extended injury layoff. When that time comes, expect heavy minutes for the forward.
Let us travel back in time to the wondrous Tim Sherwood revival era. In a 4-0 smashing at Sunderland, Hepburn-Murphy replaced Christian Benteke at the tender age of sixteen. He holds the record for youngest Villa player ever to appear in the Premier League.
There is a reason he held out for so long with Aston Villa executives: he was taking a bet on his talent. He wanted to be the highest paid academy graduate to ever walk through Bodymoor Heath. While details are not provided, one could assume he received his wish.
Hopefully Hepburn-Murphy is being paid as a third striker for a Championship club, because that is the role he is going to play the remainder of the season.
Aston Villa locked-up a bright talent for the future – and it may come sooner than one would imagine.