HITC Sport takes a look at some of the Aston Villa players who have been out on loan this season.
Aston Villa’s Ross McCormack
There’s been one hell of a turnaround at Aston Villa this season, including an enormous squad overhaul. The squad starting each week under Steve Bruce now looks virtually unrecognisable to the team that were relegated from the Premier League, with a number of high profile players both coming in and going out.
And with so many players out on loan, HITC Sport has been taking a look at how the Villa loanees have been performing at their temporary clubs. Will any of these stars be welcomed back to Villa Park next season? And do any of them have a future in a Villa shirt?
Carles Gil – Deportivo La Coruna (Season long loan)
Aston Villa’s Carles Gil
Making just 16 appearances for Deportivo La Coruna this season in La Liga, Carles Gil hasn’t had the best of campaigns since leaving Aston Villa in the summer. Despite picking up four assists, the Spaniard has failed to score yet for his current side, though he did impress in a recent win over Barcelona. At times during his spell with the Villans, Gil looked like a tricky and skillful player, causing Premier League defences problems. It hasn’t worked out for the Spaniard yet, and it’s hard to see him getting a look in in Steve Bruce’s Villa side.
Carlos Sanchez – Fiorentina (Season long loan)
Aston Villa’s Carlos Sanchez
The Colombian midfielder joined Aston Villa in 2014 from Spanish side Elche, and featured regularly under Paul Lambert. However, after relegation to the Championship, Sanchez went in search for football abroad, securing a season long loan move to Italian giants, Fiorentina. Making 28 appearances and scoring one goal for the Italian side, Carlos Sanchez has had a good and steady season in Italy, proving how underrated his is. However, seeing as Steve Bruce now has a number of central midfield players, is there any room left for Sanchez?
Jordan Veretout – Saint-Etienne (Season long loan)
Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard in action with St Etienne’s Jordan Veretout
The talented French midfielder was expected to be a big hit when he signed for Aston Villa from Nantes in the summer of 2015, but he struggled to adapt to the pace of the Premier League and ultimately became part of one of the worst Aston Villa sides that fans have ever seen under Tim Sherwood and Remi Garde. Since returning to France however, Jordan Veretout has found some real form, and has been a big part of a successful Saint-Etienne side this season. Clearly talented, might Steve Bruce want to take another look at the French midfielder? Or are his days at Aston Villa over?
Ross McCormack & Aaron Tshibola – Nottingham Forest (January loans)
Norwich’s Josh Murphy in action with Nottingham Forest’s Aaron Tshibola and Danny Fox
Signing for the club in the summer, Ross McCormack and Aaron Tshibola fell quickly out of favour after Steve Bruce took over at Villa Park, and were both shipped out on loan to Nottinham Forest in January. McCormack has failed to impress fans since arriving at the club, and the decision to bring him on for Zach Clough last Friday against Derby County was booed by supporters. Tshibola has struggled with injuries, but has looked much better than is Villa counterpart.
Pierluigi Gollini & Aly Cissokho
Pierluigi Gollini of Aston Villa applauds the fans
The Italian keeper’s signature was scene as a real coup in the summer for Aston Villa, but after some seriously dodgy performances, Gollini was shipped out on loan to Italian side Atlanta in January, and made his first appearance for the club recently. Aly Cissokho joined Aston Villa in 2014 from Valencia after a loan-spell with Liverpool. The defender has struggled in a Villa shirt though, and joined Greek side Olympiacos on loan in January. He has so far made nine appearances, scoring one goal.
Tom Ince of Derby County (L) and Aly Cissokho of Aston Villa in action
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