Keeping Tommy Elphick is a smart transfer decision by Steve Bruce for Aston Villa

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Aston Villa defender Tommy Elphick is set to remain at Villa Park next term.

According to the Reading Chronicle, Tommy Elphick will be staying at Aston Villa next season, which looks like a smart move from Steve Bruce.

Elphick appeared almost certain to leave Villa this summer when he was loaned out to Reading midway through last season.

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However the claret and blues’ financial struggles have offered Elphick a lifeline.

And Bruce is making a smart decision by welcoming the central defender back into the fold at Villa Park.

Elphick may not have been good enough to disrupt John Terry and James Chester’s partnership last season, but is a very capable Championship defender.

With Terry gone and Chester potentially going, Villa are going to have to restructure their defence.

With their financial difficulties bringing in a defender of better quality than Elphick would have been a major challenge.

And Bruce has made the right decision, if he keeps the former Bournemouth man at Villa Park next term, as he could be a key player for his side.