Aston Burns is an 18-year-old winger who plays for Fencibles in the New Zealand National League. Burns has flourished for Fencibles after departing local giants Auckland City.
Burns has lined up in a number of positions this season, as a striker, winger, and wing-back. But no matter where he lines up, he is going to do a lot of dribbling and playmaking from wide areas. Burns is tall for a winger, I would estimate around 6’0″ (1.82 m), with a slim build. Burns is a very fast player, at least by the standards of semi-professional New Zealand football. He is also a very strong dribbler, capable of beating players with guile and technique, not just relying on his pace to beat players. Burns has very good decision-making from wide areas. He very rarely puts in low-value crosses. Instead, Burns usually uses his pace and dribbling to get into the box and create opportunities for cut-backs or chips to the back post. As a result, Burns frequently sets up teammates for high-danger chances. Unfortunately, Burns’ strong decision-making does not extend to his own shooting. Burns’ pace and dribbling make him very good at creating separation, but most of his shots are from wide areas in the box. I would also like to see him make more off-ball runs into the box, this would be an easy way to increase his personal goal threat, in my opinion. Burns’ pace naturally makes him a threat in behind, so he does get a lot of 1v1s against the goalkeeper. Despite his height, Burns does not get a lot of headed shots so perhaps that is another avenue to increase his goal threat if he can improve. Burns’ passing in central areas is also not particularly good. He is great at cutbacks but he is not going to break many lines or play many through balls.
Despite sometimes playing as a wing-back, Burns is primarily an attacking player. Even when he is technically a wing-back, he plays more as a wide midfielder, rarely tracking back all the way to a fullback position. Still, Burns does an adequate job of the defensive responsibilities he is given. His physical traits are extremely helpful for closing players down and winning physical battles. I think his best position is probably further forward on the right because playing deeper limits his ability to get in behind defences.
I think Aston Burns’ potential is quite high, as far as New Zealand-based players go. His combination of size, speed, and skill is very tantalising. I think he would be a smart scholarship signing for either of the New Zealand based A-League clubs or a good low-cost bet for clubs overseas. A development league like MLS Next Pro or a similar reserve league would make a lot of sense for him.
Target Scouting 