Aston Villa have been impressive at Villa Park this season

Aston Villa pull off masterstroke amid Finley Munroe update, blew Ashley Cole away at Chelsea

Fri 12 April 2024 14:10, UK

Aston Villa have enjoyed a transformative season under the management of Unai Emery both in the Premier League and the Europa Conference League.

The Spanish manager has managed to build a side at Villa Park that could well be playing in the Champions League next year, while also bedding several young academy talents into his team over time.

Tim Iroegbunam has been handed minutes both in the Premier League and the Europa Conference League, while the likes of Omari Kellyman and Kaine Kesler-Hayden have become regular faces on Emery’s bench week in and week out.

However, the important work in the youth set-up is also continuing behind the scenes, with Birmingham Live journalist John Towley reporting that Villa have tied young defender Finely Munroe down to a new professional contract.

Writing on X on Friday (12 April) he said: “Finley Munroe has signed a new professional contract with Aston Villa. The 19-year-old defender joined the club in 2021 after leaving Chelsea despite Ashley Cole advising the club to give him a scholarship.

“Exciting talent.”

Will Unai Emery and Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League this season?

While Munroe will be a relatively unknown prospect to most Villa supporters, having not yet made a single senior appearance at Villa Park, his quality is quite clearly demonstrated by Ashley Cole’s desire to keep him at Chelsea.

The former England international knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a success in English football having won all there is to win during his time at Arsenal and Stamford Bridge, so he should be able to spot a promising star.