Hoops star Stevens to move to Villa

PROOF Shamrock Rovers’ success in the Europa League has already made the Premier League sit up and take notice was provided by confirmation yesterday that full-back Enda Stevens will join Aston Villa in January.

Stevens will remain with Rovers until the new year, meaning he will see out the rest of the league season as well as the Europa League group stage in Tallaght. U21 international Stevens said: “I’m delighted the two clubs have agreed terms and I would like to thank Alex McLeish for placing such faith in me. I have really enjoyed my time at Shamrock Rovers, and with Europa League football along with the run-in to the league campaign still ahead, I can’t wait to be part of that before I leave for Aston Villa.”

Hoops boss Michael O’Neill said: “This is another mark of how this club is progressing and how well regarded our players are outside of Ireland. I believe he will do very well, but the great news for us is that he will remain a Shamrock Rovers player until the end of this season. We have a lot of hard work between now and then and Enda being part of that is important.”