The Claret and Blue faithful have even more reason to celebrate this week as Aston Villa officially confirmed that teenage sensation Bradley Burrowes has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract.
The pacy forward was recently called up to England’s U-18 squad and has been in superb form this season. He has been a mainstay in Villa’s U-21 team, scoring nine goals and three assists in ten appearances in the Premier League 2. He has also captained the side.
Burrowes is highly rated at Villa, making his professional debut against Crystal Palace on 31st August. Since then, he has been named among the substitutes four times this season.
In the statement made by the club, Mark Harrison, the academy manager, said, “We are delighted Brad has signed a new long-term contract, he has had a very positive last 18 months at the club. We have been really pleased with his development as an attacking player, who can create and score goals.
He also has a fantastic mentality and character which is great credit to him and his family. He is definitely a role model for our young academy players, and we really hope this now provides him with the platform to transition into a senior player at the club.”
The U-21s next play on Friday 3rd April away to Brighton. Villa sit in 16th place currently, just inside the qualification places and with a game in hand on the teams above.
Since joining at 13, Burrowes has been a central pillar of the club’s recent youth success, including the 2024/25 FA Youth Cup triumph.
Why the hype is real
Standing at 1.69m, Burrowes isn’t the most physically imposing forward, but he uses his low centre of gravity to devastating effect. Predominantly a right winger who can operate as a central striker, his game is built on:
- Elite Finishing: His stats in PL2 (nearly a goal per game) suggest a clinical edge that is rare for a teenage winger.
- Versatility: Unai Emery loves players who can occupy multiple roles. Burrowes’ ability to stretch play wide or lead the line makes him a perfect “Emery-style” attacker.
- Mentality: Beyond the talent, the club has highlighted his “fantastic character”—the exact trait required to survive the jump from academy football to the Premier League.
What’s next for the wonderkid?
With the international break providing a brief reset, Burrowes will likely remain integrated with the first-team training sessions. With the business end of the season approaching and injuries often playing a role in the run-in, don’t be surprised to see the #83 shirt back on the bench for the senior side very soon.
Aston Villa aren’t just building a team for today; by securing Burrowes until at least 2027, they are ensuring the “next gen” at Villa Park remains as bright as the current one.
