Kortney Hause is not an upgrade on Aston Villa’s current options

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Aston Villa are close to completing the signing of Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Kortney Hause, according to The Express and Star.

Dean Smith is desperate to bolster his central defensive options, especially with Axel Tuanzebe out injured.

Aston Villa have recalled Tommy Elphick, who started against QPR, and have been forced to play James Bree at centre-back on occasions this season.

But Hause is not necessarily an upgrade on Aston Villa’s current options.

When all players are fit, Tuanzebe and James Chester will be the first-choice pairing with Elphick as a back-up.

Hause would probably be Aston Villa’s fourth-choice central defender if he joins, meaning he would be playing a back-up role.

The 23-year-old is not getting close to this Wolves team and needs to leave for first-team football.

Formerly of Wycombe Wanderers, the ex-England under-21 man has played 68 first-team games for Wolves since joining in 2013, including one this season.

With just six appearances to his name since the start of the 2017/18 season, Hause’s career is stagnating at Wolves.

If Smith is looking for a new centre-half who can cruise straight into the first-team, then Hause is the wrong target.

But as a back-up choice providing depth for the Villans, Hause could be a shrewd acquisition.