Tshibola has only started one game under Bruce but will not be going anywhere in January.
Steve Bruce has admitted to the Birmingham Mail that he does not yet know his best team but insists that Aaron Tshibola will get his chance eventually.
The midfielder arrived from Reading in the summer for a hefty £5 million, per The Mirror, but after a bright start to his Villa career he has all but disappeared from the squad since Bruce replaced Roberto Di Matteo in October.
Tshibola has not featured since the 55-year-old’s first game in charge, a 1-1 draw with Wolves over two months ago and the Birmingham Mail claimed last month that the talented enforcer was looking at a potential move away from Villa Park in January, with Rangers reportedly keen.
The Scottish Sun claimed Mark Warburton was keen on enhancing a midfield that looks set to lose Mat Crooks in January, with Tshibola tempted by the offer of a short-term loan deal with the guarantee of first-team football.
However, Bruce has now attempted to play down such speculation, claiming that the 21-year-old does have a future in the first-team.
“He is just young,” Bruce said in quotes reported by the Birmingham Mail. “I have changed [the starting XI], people have come in and we have not done much wrong. We have only lost two in 13.
“The people who have the shirt deserve it. His time will come. He is only a boy.
“Look, I have only been here three months. Still in my mind I am looking around to see people who have not had a real chance yet. Tshibola is one of them.
“I am still looking to find my best team yet.”
Bruce was left furious after Villa’s timid defeat to Norwich in early December, promising to change around the squad after The Canaries carved apart their lightweight midfield en route to the winner.
However, Tshibola was still not afforded an opportunity despite possessing the energy and tenacity lacking in the other midfielders at Villa’s disposal.
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