Rushian Hepburn-Murphy

[PeterWithe]

I think I posted elsewhere that I was chatting to one of the youth team parents before a friendly last year, he told me all the coaches recognised Johnson as one of the biggest talents of his age group but it was felt he was far too laid back and lacked the will to win needed from a top flight player.

[supertom]

I think I posted elsewhere that I was chatting to one of the youth team parents before a friendly last year, he told me all the coaches recognised Johnson as one of the biggest talents of his age group but it was felt he was far too laid back and lacked the will to win needed from a top flight player.

Think, at least from what we've seen, that Fonz was similar.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

In a post-match interview, Sherwood said it would be expensive for another club to get him now. So as he's a youth player, I wonder if the compensation is likely to be much higher after having appeared in the Premier League?

[ADVILLAFAN]

Thought he had one good run where he went past Bridcutt and was cynically brought down.

Poor lad did look really nervous though.   

[fredm]

Thought he had one good run where he went past Bridcutt and was cynically brought down.

Poor lad did look really nervous though.   

But this is what the 10 minute appearance when the game is won is all about.  After another 2/3 occasions the nerves will have lessened and he will express himself on the pitch as if it comes naturally.  Unfortunately  in the past we a) have never been in a position to do this or b) had a manager with the forethought to do it.
Likewise the subbing of Clarke - would any of the previous bunch of managers have thought of taking him off so he wouldn't get another booking leading to a ban?

[LeeB]

It's been bugging me why his name feels familiar, then I remembered the slightly batshit but talented ex singer out of Moloko, Roisin Murphy.

[exigo]

In a post-match interview, Sherwood said it would be expensive for another club to get him now. So as he's a youth player, I wonder if the compensation is likely to be much higher after having appeared in the Premier League?

If he's looked on the Fantasy Football site in the last day, I wonder how it feels for him to be valued at £4.5m.

[eric woolban woolban]

In a post-match interview, Sherwood said it would be expensive for another club to get him now. So as he's a youth player, I wonder if the compensation is likely to be much higher after having appeared in the Premier League?

If he's looked on the Fantasy Football site in the last day, I wonder how it feels for him to be valued at £4.5m.

Too much, too young, too soon!

[Karl Bridges]

Was he brought on so TS could prove the point that he would give youth a chance? Playing up to the media a little?

It looks way too early for RHM to me and he has no record in the reserves either

18 goals in 21 games for the U18s.

[Bad English]

The pack are going to have fun fitting his name in a song!

It has been a while since we had a big lyrics competition so, ahem...

In Villa Park and Birmingham there's a growing feeling of delirium
Conditioned to respond to all the threats
In the rhetorical speeches of the Sky Jet Set
The Big Four said we will bury you
I don't subscribe to this point of view
It'd be such an ignorant thing to do
If the Rushian scores for Villa too.

How can he play that little boy?
We know he's Sherwood's deadly toy.
There is no monopoly on common sense
He's just sixteen but he must commence
He shares the same biology
Regardless of child psychology
Believe me when I say to you
I hope the Rushian scores for Villa too.

There is an historical precedent to put
kids on the pitch when they're excellent
He looks scared stiff but he's bound to score
It's a shame he ain't been played before
Mister Lerner says "I will protect you"
I don't subscribe to this point of view
Believe me when I say to you
I hope the Rushian scores for Villa too
He shares the same biology
Regardless of child psychology
What might save us me and you
Is if the Rushian scores for Villa too.

[exigo]

Give us an R...

[Drummond]

Turns out his dad is friends with Sturridge:

Shoutout to the lil homie @Rushcmpt on making his debut today at 16 years old for @AVFCOfficial I know your dad is proud boy!! #salute

Daniel Sturridge ‏@D_Sturridge  2h2 hours ago
That's the type of thing that makes me happy though. To see the youth coming through, especially since I've grown up knowing his dad

Hopefully he'll grow up to be as good....

Interesting.

On one hand I'm really pleased for him making his debut in the famous claret and blue. On the other I'm reliably informed that he is over-rated in comparison with others of that age-range.

Which should give them all hope then.

Good on the lad for enjoying it and hopefully taking the first step on the ladder, not thinking he's taken the last.

[SheffieldVillain]

From the official site. Good stuff Tim.

im Sherwood insists the inclusion of Rushian Hepburn-Murphy was his way of sending a message to the club's academy - and aspirational young players generally.

Sherwood was only too happy to reward the 16-year-old with a call-up - and eventual participation for the final few minutes at Sunderland.

He says this gives a signal to other starlets in the youth set-up that they, too, could get their chance if they work hard and impress.

But the boss insists it also shows young players generally that Villa is a place to flourish if you're good enough at an early age.

He said: "It's about bringing your own through.

"That's what I did at Tottenham and pretty much five of them are first on the team sheet every week now. That is a good success for Spurs.

"I took a few young boys up to Sunderland. Rushian has done very well.

"The youth set-up have told me he's done very well with the U18s. I said I would put him on the bench and if we were 3-0 up, I'd put him on.

"That was in my dreams. I didn't expect it to happen.

"Sometimes you need to send a message out to the academy - not only to the academy but to the local area.

"If you want to play and you want to play in someone's first team - even at a massive club like Aston Villa - you come to this place because I am going to give you an opportunity. No danger of that.

"If you are good enough no matter how young you are, you are going to play.

"Why would you waste your time going somewhere else? Come here!

"I know all the young boys here. They are good lads and very respectful.

"I tell them that every day they are on that training field and every time they put an Aston Villa shirt on that they are on trial. You never know who's watching!

"Rushian was fortunate it was him this time. It might be someone else next time."

[Sunny Villa]

That statement has impressed me .  very good

[Dante Lavelli]

Impressive stuff from Sherwood there.  It's a shame that he wasn't around when that MK Dons lad was linked with us (I'm told we were pretty close to signing him) as that sort of vision could have impressed him, instead - ironically - he chose Spurs ahead of us.