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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Mike Walters

Newport's Finn Azaz on track to become next Aston Villa star thanks to EFL loan system

Finn Azaz was born in Westminster – or Lockdown Party Central as it is now known.

But away from 'work events' at the Boris Arms, on-loan Aston Villa playmaker Azaz has been putting the fizz into Newport County's midfield.

If you haven't seen the EFL Young Player of the Month's winner for the Exiles against Port Vale in League Two a couple of months ago, check it out on YouTube.

In the nicest possible way, it's absolute filth: Chest trap, quick feet, top corner, wallop. His Villa manager Steven Gerrard, who wasn't shy of scoring the odd jaw-dropper himself, would surely have approved.

Azaz has become the latest standard-bearer for the loan system where Premier League clubs send their young thrusters into the shires, and in many cases the rough diamonds come back as 24-carat sparklers.

This has been the EFL's Youth Development Week, an annual celebration of clubs who nurture home-grown talent instead of leaving oligarchs, oil barons and entire states to pick up the tab for grotesque transfer expenditure.

They might be making a four-act drama of the crisis at Derby County, but let's give the League its due.

Every single player in the last England squad – including coach Gareth Southgate – either started at an EFL club, graduated from an EFL academy or made their debut in an EFL competition.

And last season, 81 per cent of players named on EFL teamsheets were home-grown players.

For the peak of the pyramid to thrive, the foundations need to be well-pointed – and 21-year-old Azaz is playing a peaky blinder down at Rodney Parade.

“It's nice to get this recognition because when you're playing in League Two, you think not that many people are watching,” he said.

“It's also recognition for the team, because we won four in a row last month, which is not easy to do in any division.

Aston Villa youngster Finn Azaz has impressed on loan at Newport County (Athena Pictures/Getty Images)

“I'm someone who likes to get on the ball a lot, and try to influence games higher up the pitch, because I feel I'm more effective further forward.

“That's not always easy in League Two, and it's a tribute to my team-mates who give me the service.”

If Azaz continues to develop, he could soon be contesting a place with £130 million Philippe Coutinho and rising star Jacob Ramsey in Villa's midfield.

For now, he is sharing a house with Kevin Ellison, the League's oldest striker who will be 43 later this month, Exiles forward Dom Telford, defender Priestley Farquharson and fellow loanee Rob Street.

Finn Azaz could well force his way into Steven Gerrard's thinking at Aston Villa in the future (Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Azaz, who qualifies to play for England, the Republic of Ireland and Israel, laughs at the thought of being only six months old when Ellison made his only Premier League appearance for Leicester at Old Trafford in 2001.

But in Newport's Big Brother household, he is relishing his extended masterclass in longevity.

“It's a privilege to learn from someone who was playing professional football before I was born,” said Azaz, who faces lowly Oldham Athletic this weekend.

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“When you are sharing a pitch, and a house, with someone of his experience, you have to take the opportunity to pick his brain, ask questions and copy the things he does.

“You wonder how he manages to maintain such a high level of physical fitness, but he does yoga, swimming, eats healthily and gives himself the best possible chance.

“The way he looks after himself is an inspiration and sets a great example to younger players.”

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