Lions of the Weekend
Monday, 22 December, 2003
The Moore brothers' scoring feats at the weekend suggest they are ready to realise their potential in the big time.
It was 18 months ago that the Moore brothers helped Aston Villa beat Wayne Rooney’s Everton in the FA Youth Cup Final, and their scoring feats at the weekend suggest they are ready to realise their potential in the big time.
"Got a firm touch from a tight angle" – News of the World on Stefan
"Headed positively" – Wycombe FC website on Luke
"Superbly-taken goal" – Sunday Mercury on Stefan
"A very, very good player" – Wycombe manager Tony Adams on Luke.
Football insiders have been waiting for the talented Moore brothers to make an impact.
The Aston Villa pair outshone Wayne Rooney 18 months ago to help their club beat Everton in the FA Youth Cup Final.
But Rooney’s development has so far outstripped their own – until this weekend.
Stefan, 20, got a surprise place ahead of Darius Vassell in the Aston Villa side at Blackburn and scored the opening goal in Villa’s first away win of the season.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Luke was helping Tony Adams to his first win as Wycombe manager.
Luke headed his first senior goal during Wycombe’s 2-0 win against Bournemouth and was so delighted he dived into the crowd to celebrate, and picked up a yellow card for his troubles.
Both lads have been regular England internationals; Stefan playing under-17s, 18s and 19s and Luke starring for the under-16s.
So, can the pair play together for Villa in the future? Luke certainly hopes so, saying: "Things have been going well in the reserves and the next stage is to get a few goals out on loan.
"Then I can go back and start putting a bit of pressure on the manager. It is great to see Stef in the first-team but I want to be there as well."
Villa boss David O’Leary was fretting at Blackburn because his team have been creating and missing chances all season.
But the local Brummie Stefan didn’t let him down, following Lee Hendrie’s header beyond the far post and turning it in from a tight angle like a natural goalscorer.
He will also know Luke – who scored 20 goals for the reserves last season - will pick up vital experience at Wycombe under his old pal Tony Adams, who hailed him and fellow England under-16 international Steven Taylor as "very good players".
It was a great start for young Luke, heading Darren Currie’s 75th minute corner to secure Adams’ first win in his eighth game in charge.
Lion of the Weekend - Weekly Awards
Paul Scholes 3
James Beattie 2
David Beckham 2
Wayne Rooney 2
Shola Ameobi 1
Jermain Defoe 1
Steve Gerrard 1
Emile Heskey 1
Glen Johnson 1
Frank Lampard 1
James Milner 1
Stefan Moore 1
Luke Moore 1
Jermaine Pennant 1
Michael Owen 1
John Terry 1
TheFA.com will announce their Lion of the Weekend every Monday. A Lion of the Season award will be announced in May based on the number of weekly nominations...
