Aston Villa starlet turned down Bristol Rovers for fellow League One club

Finn Azaz chose Plymouth Argyle over Bristol Rovers after a plethora of offers
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Joey Barton has revealed that Aston Villa midfielder Finn Azaz rejected the opportunity to join Bristol Rovers in the summer, choosing to join Plymouth Argyle.

The Pilgrims travel to the Memorial Stadium on Saturday on what is a massive test ahead for the Gas, who are on a good run of form. Plymouth are top of the League One standings and have claimed big results over Ipswich Town and Portsmouth, who are promotion favourites.

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Azaz, who pipped ex-Rovers loanee Connor Taylor to the Young Player of the Season in League Two last season, was a target for Barton in the summer. The 22-year-old had just come off the back of a stellar season for Newport County and got seven goals and assists as the Exiles missed out on a play-off spot.

It could have been a different story for this weekend's clash with Plymouth's leading man a player that Barton had identified in wanting to sign. Discussions were had with the Villains youngster and a host of clubs tried to pitch the best sale of luring him to their club for the season.

Now the 40-year-old has spoken of how Azaz's move failed to materialise and gave his take on what the youngster has done so fr for the Home Park club.

"Yeah, he knocked us back," admitted Barton in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's match.

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"I spoke to Finn on Zoom and he joined Plymouth. I could see why, Plymouth had about eighty points the year before. We were talking about playing 4-33 and they were talking about playing 3-4-3 and it probably suits him. We had to pitch him. I didn't know what I was going to do with him if I am honest with you.

"I knew he was a good player last year and you could tell he was a good player. We were like get him in the building and then figure out what to do with him. We were talking about him playing 4-3-3 and he could play number eight for us or the front line. They have pitched him in a different space in a 3-4-3 playing in a number ten."

Rovers' ambition for the season has been to remain in the division after winning promotion from the fourth tier last season. Plymouth meanwhile narrowly missed out on a play-off spot, suffering a defeat to MK Dons on the final day of the campaign. The Devon-based club had to contend with losing manager Ryan Lowe to Preston North End mid-season.

Steven Schumacher has continued Plymouth's momentum from last season and the club are currently leading the division. They are four points ahead of nearest-placed Ipswich and are five points clear of Sheffield Wednesday in third place.

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A total of 16 points separate both Rovers and Plymouth ahead of Saturday's meeting and Azaz's decision to join the latter so far looks to be the right decision.

"If he's looked at the tables and looks at a newly promoted team and a team that has just missed out I can see the logic in it," Barton said. "As the league stands today you'd have to say he's made the right decision. Hopefully after Saturday we will change his opinion.

"I can't wait to play them. I'm looking forward to the challenge because you want to play the best teams and they sit at the top of the table. It's a great opportunity for us to further our team."

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