Loanwatch 2022/23

[UK Redsox]

Aston Villa can confirm Viljami Sinisalo and Finn Azaz will go out on loan to clubs in League One for the duration of the 2022/23 campaign.

Sinisalo heads to Burton Albion while Azaz will link up with Plymouth Argyle.

Goalkeeper Sinisalo has been a regular member of the senior goalkeeping cohort at Bodymoor Heath over the past year having spent time on loan with Ayr United during the 2020/21 campaign.

Azaz, who joined the club last summer, spent 2021/22 out on loan with Newport County and was named the League Two Young Player of the Season in addition to being included in the League Two Team of the Season. 

The midfielder has also put pen to paper on a new contract with the Club prior to heading to Home Park.

https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/july/11/villa-duo-head-out-on-loan/

[Risso]

Sensible. Gradually increasing the level they're playing at.

[paul_e]

I mostly agree but I think Sinisalo could've gone to a championship club and been fine.

[Mister E]

I mostly agree but I think Sinisalo could've gone to a championship club and been fine.

I think both should; or - at least - made these loans half-season with the option to send them into the C'ship for the second half.

[cdbearsfan]

Would rather see him in League One playing every week then Championship sat on the bench. Twenty is young especially for a goalie and Martinez and Olsen have the top two spots wrapped up fot the foreseeable future so no harm him going to a Championship club next year to continue his development if he impresses with Burton.

[algy]

Yeah, think playing regularly in League One is about right for Sinisalo, then could see him making the step up to the Championship next season.  Finn Azaz, I'd worry that he's starting to get to the age when you'd expect him to be pushing for a spot in the first team.  Half a season in league one, maybe, then push for a loan to a Championship side.  Just feel that if he's not got a bit of Championship football under his belt at 23, he's not ever going to be playing at a higher level than that.

[Hookeysmith]

I did not realise Azaz was 23 - Grealish was i think 18 when he went to Notts county and i think Gabby was 19 at Sheff wed so a loan move at that age looks like he is a little behind in development

[Ger Regan]

Azaz will be 22 in september. I'd imagine he's the type of player we'd be looking to sell on for a decent fee, rather than being a mainstay of our first team.

[Risso]

Louie Barry apparently having a medical at MK as well, for a season-long loan.

[Dante Lavelli]

Azaz will be 22 in september. I'd imagine he's the type of player we'd be looking to sell on for a decent fee, rather than being a mainstay of our first team.

Arguably he has passed every test he has encountered to date so its unknown what his ceiling is.  He is clocking up minutes on the pitch so hopefully will be more “ready” if he is given a chance, like Dewsbury Hall for Leicester.

[UK Redsox]

Louie Barry apparently having a medical at MK as well, for a season-long loan.

Confirmed

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62143491

Thought that he might have gone to a Championship club, but they probably opted for somewhere that he should start regularly

[algy]

I did not realise Azaz was 23 - Grealish was i think 18 when he went to Notts county and i think Gabby was 19 at Sheff wed so a loan move at that age looks like he is a little behind in development

Bad wording on my part, meant Azaz will be 23* when he comes back off loan.


* Yeah, ok, it's technically 22 and 300-and-something days ...

[Dave P]

I did not realise Azaz was 23 - Grealish was i think 18 when he went to Notts county and i think Gabby was 19 at Sheff wed so a loan move at that age looks like he is a little behind in development

Bad wording on my part, meant Azaz will be 23* when he comes back off loan.


* Yeah, ok, it's technically 22 and 300-and-something days ...

[PaulWinch again]

Louie Barry apparently having a medical at MK as well, for a season-long loan.

Confirmed

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62143491

Thought that he might have gone to a Championship club, but they probably opted for somewhere that he should start regularly

I think it’s quite a big season for him, hopefully he kicks on.

[Smithy]

I'm surprised Azaz has only gone to League One.  Given he was in the League Two team of the season, I was sure a few Championship clubs would have been having a sniff for this season. That said, I do trust the club and what they are trying to do with loans these days, so wish him all the best on the south coast!

Interesting to see Barry following in KKH's footsteps again.  I do like that we are building relationships with some of the clubs in the lower leagues who play (or try to play) decent football, and are happy giving them promising youngsters on loan.   I'm sure they would be delighted to have one talented youngster per season from us for the foreseeable future.

It's going to be interesting to see what happens with KKH.  Will Gerrard move Guilbert on to make room for him in the first-team squad, or does a Championship loan beckon?  We've seen what a really good season as an attacking full-back can do at Championship level with Djed Spence last season (gone from unwanted at Boro to a £20m target for Spurs), but the competition for a starting place is much more fierce in the Championship than in League One.