Aston Villa have been eager for an offensive catalyst for the reason that £100m departure of beloved homegrown expertise Jack Grealish to Manchester Metropolis in 2021, the fleet-footed demon’s feats for the Lions undoubtedly happening within the membership’s folklore.
Certain, Ollie Watkins has been prolific within the Premier League of late; Emi Buendia is straightforward on the attention along with his gliding gait, however nobody has captured the panache and effectivity of the previous gem.
An entirely contrasting talent set, however Villa’s Finn Azaz may very well be the optimum identify to ship Villa Park into rapture as soon as once more, with the midfield maestro out on mortgage at League One high-fliers Plymouth Argyle this season and forging a season of emphatic success; a centrepiece to the membership’s promotion-pushing efforts.
Argyle are table-toppers after 38 matches, 5 factors clear within the automated playoffs with simply eight matches to play.
The Republic of Eire worldwide Azaz has certainly been improbable for The Pilgrims and will definitely be in competition for a spot in supervisor Unai Emery‘s system subsequent 12 months, so arresting has he been in his commerce.
Who’s Finn Azaz?
Azaz has been on the Claret & Blue’s books for the reason that summer season of 2021, when he was signed from Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion and instantly loaned out to Newport County, praised as “thrilling” by the membership’s official web site.
WhoScored highlights Azaz’s most arresting traits as his ‘key passes’, ‘dribbling’ and ‘ending’, and his offensive midfield deployment might certainly present the Villans with the offensive spark to enhance the front-line subsequent season.
Emery offered Danny Ings to West Ham United for £15m in January and solely signed 19-year-old prospect Jhon Duran for £18m to bolster the offence, the dynamic Colombian precocious however maybe not fairly prepared for the talismanic position.
The exercise hints at a marquee addition in the summertime, with the likes of £44m Lille sharpshooter Jonathan David touted, and as such, a artistic and enterprising drive located behind would certainly go down a deal with.
The 22-year-old Azaz has recorded a mean Sofascore score of seven.14 this time period, scoring seven targets and supplying eight assists and complementing his direct return with 1.7 photographs and 1.9 key passes per match, hailed as a “baller” for his exploits by journalist Alex Dunne.
If Emery does determine to supply the one-cap U21 worldwide a platform, he might stake a declare for Philippe Coutinho’s place within the workforce, with the distinguished Brazilian branded “disappointing” by former Villa star Gabby Agbonlahor.
The £125k-per-week man has scored only one objective and offered no assists from 22 outings throughout all competitions this season, recording a mediocre Sofascore score of 6.66 and providing simply 1.1 photographs and 0.4 key passes per outing, inferior to Azaz’s output, granted, taking part in two divisions under however exhibiting all of the prowess requisite for achievement within the English top-flight.
How the “imposing” Azaz – as dubbed by Ashley Preece – has carried himself within the third tier this time period has been extraordinarily spectacular, and if he can proceed to nurture his skills at Premier League degree with Villa, he might develop into a shrewd, homegrown sensation within the midlands.
He won’t fairly have the aptitude or magnificence of the likes of Grealish and Coutinho, however the mechanical, industrious manner he exerts his authority and dynamism can’t be understated.
