Enda Stevens has been in fine form at Portsmouth and is now set for a move to Sheffield United.
Portsmouth’s Enda Stevens in action with Cambridge’s United’s Ryan Donaldson
A former Aston Villa youngster, who has recently found the form of his career, has been speaking about his troubles at Villa Park.
Irish left-back Enda Stevens was signed by Villa in 2012 from Shamrock Rovers and the Irishman went on to play nine times for the club. He also spent time out on loan at the likes of Notts County, Doncaster Rovers and Northampton Town before being released by the club in the summer of 2015.
Speaking to The 42 recently he admitted that the constant loan moves did not help his career at Villa and that he eventually just got pushed back at the club:
“I kind of just got pushed back even further where I wasn’t involved at all but I still had two years left on my contract.
“I had to go out on loan. I enjoyed my loan spells but they’re tough. You’re doing a lot of travelling, you don’t feel like a part of the squad. You’re only on loan and you know at the end of the season that you’re just going back to Aston Villa.
Portsmouth’s Enda Stevens in action with Cambridge’s United’s Ryan Donaldson
“There’s nothing at the end for you. That’s probably the toughest thing about it.
“So I ended up back at Villa, back at the same place again, not playing, just sitting at home watching all of the games. Watching ‘Soccer Saturday’ on Sky Sports.”
Now it is the defender who may go on to have the last laugh.
After his release from Villa he joined Portsmouth, where he was named Players’ Player of the Year last term and has again excelled this term, making the EFL Team of the Year.
Portsmouth’s Enda Stevens celebrates with fans after getting promoted to Sky Bet League One
His performances have not gone unnoticed. A free agent this summer he is set to join Sheffield United, where he will get the chance to face his former club in the Championship next season.
No doubt he will look forward to showing Aston Villa what they are missing out on.
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