Dean Smith raves about Aston Villa defender Axel Tuanzebe

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Axel Tuanzebe is on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United at the moment.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has spoken highly of Manchester United-owned defender Axel Tuanzebe to The Mirror, and his comments suggest that he will return to Old Trafford at the end of the season.

Tuanzebe joined Villa on a season-long loan deal from Premier League giants United in the summer of 2018.

This is the 21-year-old’s second spell at Villa Park, having also played for the Villans during the second half of last season on a loan deal from United.

Villa manager Smith has raved about the defender, and his comments suggest that the England Under-21 international will go back to the Red Devils in the summer of 2019.

The Mirror quotes Smith as saying about Tuanzebe: “If Ole wants to ring me, I’ll give him an excellent report on Axel.

“He came here as a right-back. But I always felt he had the capabilities to be a really good centre-half. He is proving that. He has really grown here.

“He is showing an awful lot of composure. His awareness has also got better, perhaps with experience of playing. He is quick, no question about that.”

Aston Villa stay

United could do with new defenders for next season, and Tuanzebe could be an option, but perhaps Villa should try to sign the youngster on a permanent contract in the summer of 2019 or attempt to extend his loan spell at Villa Park.

The England Under-21 international has made 19 appearances in the Championship for Villa so far this season, providing one assist in the process, according to WhoScored.