Aaron Tshibola is shining in the Scottish Premiership with Kilmarnock and hasn’t made a Championship appearance for Aston Villa since 2016.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce is clearly not a fan of Aaron Tshibola.
A £5 million signing during Roberto Di Matteo’s short-lived spell in charge at Villa Park, the former Reading youngster barely featured once Bruce took over just a few months later.
And the Geordie gaffer has since loaned out Tshibola in each of the last four transfer windows, to Nottingham Forest, MK Dons, Kilmarnock and Kilmarnock again. But the 23-year-old’s performances north of the border are only serving to rub more salt into Bruce’s wounds as the pressure rises on the under-fire manager.
Tshibola made a decent impression at Killie in the second half of last season but, since returning to Rugby Park this summer, has taken his game to a new level under Steve Clark.
The London-born enforcer was superb in the centre of the park as Kilmarnock came from behind to beat Celtic 2-1 on Sunday, dominating the man he replaced at Rugby Park; Youssouf Mulumbu.
And Kilmarnock fans have certainly been impressed by Tshibola’s impact. Though it remains to be seen whether Bruce is willing to give a player he clearly doesn’t rate a second chance.
On current form, Tshibola could offer the energy and exuberance lacking in an ageing Aston Villa side.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
