Aston Villa have made defender Kortney Hause available for a transfer as Unai Emery continues to clear Villa Park of any deadwood in his first summer market as manager.
That is according to The Guardian, which reports that Hause is free to leave Aston Villa after another disappointing season. The 28-year-old returned to Birmingham in February due to a knee injury sustained following a mere three appearances on loan with Watford last season.
Steven Gerrard had sanctioned a move to Vicarage Road for Hause in August despite losing Diego Carlos to an injury. He quickly established a place under Rob Edwards in Hertfordshire, as well. But Hause would develop the injury that effectively ended his campaign in October.
Aston Villa have made Hause available for a transfer
Slaven Bilic only named Hause on the bench for two Championship games after he replaced Edwards at Watford in October. While Chris Wilder could not call on the centre-back once he took charge this March. Watford had already sent Hause back to Aston Villa during February.
Hause remained registered to Watford until the end of the 2022/23 season. But Bilic had left the Redbridge-born enforcer out of the Hornet’s team for the second half of the second-tier season. Though Watford continued to pay a contribution to Hause’s salary, per The Athletic.
Emery will not stop Hause from exploring a move away
His injury and failure to stay in Watford’s squad mean Hause has not played any competitive minutes since September. He also only started twice over three outings under Edwards with the Hornets. So, Aston Villa have now made Hause available for a permanent transfer away.
The former England U21 prospect remains under contract at Villa Park until June 2025. But Emery does not expect to afford Hause a role and has given the defender the green light to pursue a future elsewhere. Much like Keinan Davis, who is also now available for a transfer.
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