HOT prospect Finn Azaz is ready to do as he's told by Aston Villa in his bid for the Premier League after starring for Newport County AFC in League Two.

The 21-year-old will enjoy a Rodney Parade farewell against Rochdale on Saturday after a superb campaign with the Exiles.

The attacking midfielder has mirrored the likes of Ben White and Scott Twine by shining in amber, making 44 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists.

Azaz was selected in the League Two team of the year and was won the division’s best young player award.

His exploits will have caught the eye of Championship clubs while it is a possibility that Premier League Villa will want to finally work closely with the prospect over the close season after snapping him up from West Brom last summer.

The midfielder is a free spirit on the field but happy to do as he is told off it.

β€œI am trying not to think about it too much. I will finish this season and then anything can happen in football so there is no point in speculating,” he said.

β€œI will have a couple of weeks off, then reflect on the season and start thinking about it. I will just be open to where I can go.

β€œI’ve hardly been at Villa, so I will see what they want me to do. I will just go where I am told.”

It’s safe to say that Azaz, a title winner with Cheltenham last year, won’t be returning to League Two for a third season on the spin.

His stats have been impressive for County yet his favourite moment was one at the death against a rival for promotion that doesn’t register on the data.

β€œThere are a load of highlights because I scored a few winners and I said to the EFL when I won my award that it was the goal against Tranmere, but it was probably the goal/own goal against Swindon,” said the midfielder.

β€œAt the time it was such a big goal – and I still feel that it was my goal! EFL, give me that goal!

South Wales Argus: DELIGHT: Finn Azaz celebrates the last-gasp winner at SwindonDELIGHT: Finn Azaz celebrates the last-gasp winner at Swindon

β€œI will reflect with fond memories, I’ve really, really enjoyed it. You can see that by the way that I am playing with good teammates and a good manager.

β€œI wouldn’t say that I’ve had more responsibility than I did at Cheltenham, where I had a different role defensively and in possession, but I’ve had a bit more freedom this season.”

Azaz has a promotion on his CV with the Robins and his exploits in amber could, maybe should, have led to them being in the mix for the play-offs this weekend.

County’s form in the run-in led to them being out of the running for the top seven with two games to go.

They responded to that disappointment by denying Port Vale in their bid to go third on Monday and now Azaz & Co aim to end a four-game losing streak on home soil against Rochdale.

β€œIt’s been disappointing not getting in the play-offs but we played well at Port Vale and will look to have a good send-off for the fans, who have been brilliant home and away. It should be fun,” he said.

β€œNo matter what anyone says, it’s not the same when preparing for games [without anything to play for] but everyone has pride and we showed that when working hard in a tough game on Monday.

β€œI have my own standards and think about how I can help the team and play my best game.”

Whatever the level Azaz moves up to next season, there will be pride at playing a part in his development in Newport.