The real reason for Rory Wilson's Aston Villa standoff and how much Rangers could lose out on if he doesn't sign

Rory Wilson’s contract stand-off is down to a lack of a pathway to the Aston Villa first-team rather than money.

The Scotland under-21 international has been offered a number of five year contract extensions from the English Premier League outfit but has failed to agree an extension. The highly-rated 18-year-old’s contract at Villa Park is up in the summer and he could leave for another top club outside of England for just €270,000 in training compensation.

Wilson, who scored 46 goals in 52 games for club and country last season, could sign a pre-contract from January 1st and a number of top European clubs are already watching his situation closely. The main issue for Wilson is the lack of a route into the Aston Villa first-team squad. He is set to turn 19 in January and knows he is getting to an age where he has should be pushing for more top level exposure.

Wilson has been a standout for Villa up to under-21 level but he and the rest of his young teammates have found it a challenge to take that next step. Head coach Unai Emery has preferred to buy or go for experienced players and there hasn’t really been a pathway to train or play at senior level for the Villa youth academy, as his team is competing domestically and in the Champions League.

The majority of the contract talks with Wilson have also been held by academy chiefs with limited input from Emery or sporting director Monchi. The Midlands club has now warned the former Rangers youngster that his opportunities will be a limited unless he pens an extension.

Wilson is frustrated because within the contract talks there has been no real provision or detailed plan as to how he would bridge the gap from under-21s to the first-team. It is alleged that Wilson been