Axel Tuanzebe will be pleased to hear Aston Villa’s Tommy Elphick plans

Add as preferred source on Google

Aston Villa are clearly short in the centre-back position. Despite failing to replace John Terry and Chris Samba in the summer, Aston Villa still allowed another of their options to leave on loan.

Tommy Elphick, who struggled for regular football under Steve Bruce, was allowed to join Hull City on loan for the season.

It seemed a bizarre call by the club and he has been one of Hull’s better players in what has been a disappointing campaign so far.

This week the Birmingham Mail have confirmed that it is unlikely Elphick will be recalled from his loan spell. He is not seen as a good fit for new boss Dean Smith and the way he wants his defenders to play.

The news he will not be returning will no doubt be welcomed by one current Aston Villa player. Axel Tuanzebe has finally been used in his favoured central defensive role since the departure of Bruce. He used the Manchester United loanee from right-back.

Now he has finally settled in at the back he would hate to see Elphick come in and challenge him for a starting spot.

He would no doubt prefer to see a younger loanee or flexible multi-position player to leave him assured of his place in the starting line-up. A starting place he has thoroughly deserved.