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‘Real talent’; Aston Villa fans react to reports Axel Tuanzebe could stay

Aston Villa fans celebrate during the FA Cup Semi Final between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on April 19, 2015 in London, England. ...
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Championship hopefuls Aston Villa loaned Axel Tuanzebe from Premier League giants Manchester United back in January.

Abel Hernández (L) of Hull City wins the ball from Axel Tuanzebe (R) of Aston Villa during the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Aston Villa at KCOM Stadium on March 31,...

Axel Tuanzebe has not quite lived up to his superstar-to-be billing since he joined Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United back in January – but that is not all his own fault.

The 20-year-old has been restricted to just five Championship appearances due to injury and, when fit, Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has played the youngster in a seemingly ill-fitting right-back role.

Tuanzebe is a centre-back by trade, winning the 2016/17 Reserve Player of the Year award at Old Trafford playing in that role. And if Bruce is to get the best out of him, giving the England U21 ace a chance in his preferred position would help.

Axel Tuanzebe of Manchester United and Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace battle for possession during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on...

That is the advice Aston Villa fans are giving their manager anyway, with reports in The Sun stating that Tuanzebe is set to spend next season on loan in the Midlands too – regardless of whether Villa secure a return to the Premier League.

It is understood that United boss Jose Mourinho believes a defender he rates very highly would benefit from another year under his close friend Bruce, who himself was a legendary centre-back at Old Trafford in his playing days.

17 Sep 1994:  Steve Bruce of Manchester United in action during an FA Carling Premiership match against Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Manchester United won the match 2-...

Aston Villa have made their interest in keeping Tuanzebe clear and, if he is given a run in the centre of defence, he could finally show why a number of supporters rate him very highly.