Future of Finn Azaz at Aston Villa hangs in the balance with contract deadline fast approaching
Aston Villa loanee Finn Azaz has been on fire at Plymouth Argyle this season – but his future in the West Midlands very much hangs in the balance.
The 22-year-old has been a mainstay in the Pilgrims’ stunning campaign, which sees them currently sitting second in the League One table and just three points from table-topping Sheffield Wednesday.
Azaz, a tall and powerful playmaker, has more than played his part over the course of the season after registering an impressive total of seven goals and seven assists from just 22 appearances.
However, with his current deal at B6 set to expire in the summer, D-Day for a contract extension is fast approaching.
The Athletic’s Aston Villa reporter Gregg Evans reported on 5 December that an extension of Azaz’s contract was “likely”, but no such news has surfaced since.
The academy graduate’s fine form this season isn’t just a one-off, with his loan spell with Newport County last year also reaping its rewards. The Villa attacker scored six goals and six assists in 25 starts while at Rodney Parade and has earmarked himself as possibly the brightest Aston Villa loanee out in the Football League over the last 18 months.
The club now face a tricky dilemma surrounding Azaz.
Although he has proven himself more than capable of delivering goals and assists galore in League Two and League One, the step up in class to the Premier League is a huge one. Newport manager James Rowberry admitted last season he thought Azaz had “Premier League quality” in him, but would he be given the opportunity to shine at Villa Park on a regular basis with both Emi Buendia and Phillipe Coutinho already occupying the playmaker spots in the match-day squad? [Birmingham Mail, 16 March 2022]
Considering Azaz is now 22 years old, the player will want consistent minutes to continue his development – and Unai Emery probably won’t be able to deliver these.
With a summer spending spree at Villa Park likely – especially in attacking areas – if Azaz were to sign a new contract, he would likely be spending the large bulk of his time on the sidelines.
It would be a shame to see a bright prospect such as Azaz leave the club, but if Emery doesn’t see the attacking midfielder reaching his exacting standards, he might give the green light for his departure this summer.
In other Aston Villa news, one of the club’s rising stars can end a barren academy run going back to Jack Grealish.