Aston Villa: James Finnerty leaves for Rochdale, Bahoken offered contract

We’re four days away folks. Aston Villa are preparing for the most important game in the club’s recent history. In the meantime, we have some club updates.

19-year old defender James Finnerty has left Aston Villa to sign for League One outfit Rochdale. The Republic of Ireland youth international was a fairly regular presence among the under-23 backline, playing 681 Premier League 2 minutes. En route, the reserve side won the Premier League Cup as well as advanced to the play-off final, ultimately succumbing to defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion.

Finnerty scored once and assisted once in his nine Premier League 2 appearances. With Easah Suliman and Mitch Clark seemingly ahead on the center back depth chart, and they themselves struggling to break into the first team, chances at Villa are few and far between. All the best, James!

Prince William To Be At Wembley:

The future King Of England is expected to be at Wembley Stadium on Saturday for the play-off final, Villa confirmed.

Oh, and that’s not all. Villa invited Tom Hanks (a proper American Villa supporter) as a special guest for Saturday. It’s not yet clear if his schedule will allow for travel. However, we do have this tweet to enjoy:

Bahoken Offered Deal, per French Media:

Barnsley, Aston Villa, and a whole host of Spanish clubs have offered a contract to 25-year old Cameroonian striker Stéphane Bahoken. Bahoken scored 7 Ligue 1 goals in 25 appearances (18 starts) en route to a 15th-place finish with RC Strasbourg Alsace. He’s a taller forward who played a little bit of everything across the front line. Bahoken chipped in two further goals in French Cup competitions for Strasbourg.

It’s not yet clear if there is solid interest as it is a singular French report. In any case, all plans hinge on promotion anyway. Bahoken might be a name to remember this summer.