Luke Moore

Luke Isaacc Moore (born 13 February 1986) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Moore represented England at England U21 level and is the younger brother of former professional footballer Stefan Moore.

As a youngster, Moore played for Romulus and Tame Valley Primary School.

As a member of Aston Villa's youth academy, he was prohibited from appearing for his secondary school, Hodge Hill college, but nevertheless appeared in "a couple of cup games" for the school.

Moore is the younger brother of the former Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa striker Stefan Moore.

Together they were a crucial part of the Villa FA Youth Cup winning team of 2002.

In April 2002, Moore moved onto YTS status and then in February 2004, he signed his professional contract with the club.

In December 2003, Moore was loaned to Wycombe Wanderers, who had failed in their approach for him earlier in the season.

He made his Wycombe Wanderers début in a 1–1 draw against Notts County on 13 December 2003.

Moore only had to wait until his next game, against AFC Bournemouth to score his début goal in a 2–0 victory.

On 3 January 2004, he scored his first career hat-trick in a 4–1 home win over Grimsby Town.

His loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers ended shortly after.

Upon his return to Aston Villa, Moore made his first-team debut, as a substitute in a 2–2 draw against Birmingham City.

At the start of the 2004–05 season, he made his first appearance of the season, coming on as a late substitute, in a 2–0 win against Southampton in the opening game of the season.

Since then, Moore found himself in and out of the starting line–up in the first team, as he found himself in a competition with Juan Pablo Ángel, Carlton Cole and Darius Vassell over the striker position.

As a result, Moore appeared in the first team, mostly coming on as a substitute.

At the end of the 2004–05 season, he went on to make twenty–two appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

Shortly after, Moore signed a contract extension with the club, signing a three–year contract with a 12-month option extension.

It wasn't until on 5 February 2005 when Moore made his first starts for Aston Villa and played the whole game, as they lost 3–1 against Arsenal.

His first senior goal for Villa came in the 2–0 victory against Middlesbrough on 5 March 2005.

Ahead of the 2005–06 season, Moore made an impression in the club's pre–season tour, including scoring six times in a 14–0 win against Gällstads on 20 July 2005.

Despite Villa signing additional forwards such as Kevin Phillips and Milan Baroš in the summer of 2005, Moore kept his place in the first-team squad, starting some games and coming on from the bench in others.

The departure of Phillips and the injury to Baroš ensured his place as a starter for the first team at the beginning of the Premiership season.

He then scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–1 loss against Chelsea on 24 September 2005.

As a result, Moore became the first player to breach Chelsea's defence this season, leading to earn £10,000 and gave it to a local charity of his choosing.

This was followed up by scoring his second goal of the season, in a 3–2 loss against Middlesbrough.

Two months later on 28 December 2005, he scored his third goal of the season, in a 3–3 draw against Fulham.

However, towards the end of the 2005–06 season, Moore lost his first team place and was placed at the reserve side.

Despite this, his eight league goals have played a crucial part but only because of injuries to Villa's senior strikers and went on to make thirty–two appearances in all competitions.

Moore then scored an equalising goal, in a 1–1 draw against Chelsea on 1 February 2006.

Three days later on 4 February 2006, Moore scored his first Premiership hat-trick for Villa, again against Middlesbrough.

A week later on 11 February 2006, he scored his eighth goal of the season, in a 2–1 loss against Newcastle United.

His performance in a number of matches earned praise from his teammates and Manager David O'Leary.

Ahead of the 2006–07 season, Moore faced uncertainty over his future at Aston Villa following a new ownership.

Eventually, his future at the club was resolved following talks with new Manager Martin O'Neill.

Moore then scored his second goal of the season, in a 2–0 victory over Charlton Athletic on 23 September 2006.

At the start of the 2006–07 season, he was featured in the first team for the first eight matches of the season.

Moore sustained a serious injury to his right shoulder in a game against Chelsea, an injury which had been persistent during his career.

Moore travelled to the US to undergo surgery in October 2006, with Cleveland Browns' head team physician Anthony Miniaci carrying out the procedure, following advice from Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner.

He scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–0 win against Newcastle United on 27 August 2007.