Jack Grealish is undoubtedly the greatest player to graduate from Aston Villa’s academy in the modern era.
Grealish burst onto the scene as a raw talent at Aston Villa and made his debut as an 18-year-old in 2014 following a successful loan spell at Notts County.
What was about to come for the Englishman at Villa Park was unimaginable, as he led his hometown club back to the big time in 2019 and became one of the Premier League’s finest wingers.
Striking fear into opposition defences with his incredible dribbling and footwork, the academy graduate plundered 32 goals and supplied 41 assists in 213 appearances for Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, it was his stellar form in the 2020/21 campaign where he produced 16 goal involvements in 26 top-flight matches that resulted in a lucrative £100 million move to Manchester City in 2021.
From bursting into Villa’s first team as a fresh-faced teen to pocketing them a nine-figure sum before winning the treble at the Etihad, it’s been some journey to the top for Grealish, and another player is looking to emulate his rise to stardom.
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Who is Ben Broggio?
Much like Grealish, Ben Broggio has risen through the early stages of Villa’s academy and become one of the club’s brightest young talents.
A right-footed attacking midfielder, who can operate on either wing, Broggio is tipped to become a massive talent in the future and it’s clear to see why.
At just the age of 17, the English whiz is already starring for Villa’s under-21s by decimating opposition defences across multiple competitions.
Broggio has scored three goals and supplied two assists in the UEFA Youth League this term, including a brace against Italian side Bologna.
The 2007-born winger is also one of the leading lights in Premier League 2, having bagged three goals in eight appearances.
Broggio was even dubbed a ‘supreme’ talent after assisting in the EFL trophy win over Fleetwood Town in September before making his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup, as Villa secured victory against Wycombe Wanderers.
Most recently, Villa’s precocious talent has even showcased his qualities on the international stage by scoring his first goal for England’s under-18s in a 3-1 friendly defeat to Poland.
Broggio could be the next Jack Grealish
It’s important not to overhype a young star like Broggio as the path to first-team stardom is a long and winding one, though the early signs are impressive.
The Englishman has already seen that opportunities in the senior side will present themself by destroying defences in the under-21s.
His debut against Wycombe was an example of hard work paying off and continuing his exceptional form will surely see him rewarded further this season, with Unai Emery perhaps picking him in the FA Cup.
Just like Villa unearthed Grealish all those years ago and handed Jacob Ramsey his debut in 2019, there is clearly a pathway to first-team football.
Indeed, there is no reason why Broggio can’t become the next Grealish at Aston Villa, especially if he continues developing at such a rate.
