Dean Smith delighted to have Tommy Elphick back at Aston Villa

Follow us on Google Discover

Dean Smith recalled Tommy Elphick from his loan spell at Hull City earlier this season.

Dean Smith has admitted to the Birmingham Mail that Steve Bruce left him in a difficult position at Aston Villa, as the club only had two centre-backs available.

Villa only had James Chester and Axel Tuanzebe to pick between when Smith arrived, with his options at the back very short.

Bruce had decided to let Tommy Elphick join Hull City on loan from Villa at the start of the season, which left the claret and blues short in defence.

Smith quickly moved to bring Elphick back from his temporary spell at the KC Stadium after taking charge.

And the centre-back has now come straight back into Villa’s first-team.

Elphick impressed for Villa in their last match against Reading, as the claret and blues picked up a clean-sheet in a 0-0 draw.

And Smith said: “When I took over it was difficult because we only had Chester and Tuanzebe as centre-backs.

“Axel got injured, only ended up with Chester, carrying an injury.

“I’m really pleased to have him back.

“His performances are steadily getting better and his best one was against Reading.”

Elphick has just been given a new partner in Villa’s defence, in the shape of Tyrone Mings.

Mings joined Villa in the January transfer window, and impressed on debut with a commanding performance.

Elphick and Mings both look set to continue their partnership in the heart of the Villa defence later this evening, when Smith’s side take on promotion chasing Sheffield United.