The Moores not so merrier

They were touted as the next big thing in Aston Villa's history.

Stefan and his younger brother Luke Moore were a feared duo on the youth circuit while coming through the ranks with Villa. The Brummie brothers scored goals for fun when they were kids and, if you believed the hype, they were set for legendary status having helped Villa lift the 2002 FA Youth Cup.

After a loan spell with Chesterfield, Stefan forced his way into the Villa side in 2002 and his sibling similarly followed, following a temporary stint with Wycombe, into the claret and blue two years later.

Yet despite the expectation they never became Holte End heroes, the youngsters set for greatness are now forgotten at Villa Park.

Stefan only ever scored two goals for his boyhood club and after becoming a lower league journeyman (including a very brief stint in Australia), the 25-year-old now looks set for life in non-league football with Kidderminster Harriers.

To be fair to Luke, the younger Moore fared better, he scored 15 goals for Villa and won caps for England Under-21s. Now he watches Premier League football regularly from a bench at West Bromwich.

Barnsley whizzkid Reuben Noble- Lazarus take note because no matter how much potential you show in your teens, nothing can prepare you for the tough world of professional football.