The Congo international had to work hard for his contract at Villa Park.
One year ago today it was revealed that Aston Villa had taken former QPR and Blackburn Rovers defender Chris Samba in on trial to see if he could earn a permanent move to the club.
The man-mountain of a defender was brought in to provide some extra cover at the back for Steve Bruce’s men, but had to work hard to prove himself worthy of a deal at the club.
It came after he had been unsuccessful on trial at Crystal Palace and many fans at Villa Park had their reservations over the player.
But the Congo international did plenty to prove his worth to the club.
He worked tirelessly to get into shape at Villa and in the summer Villa rewarded his hard work by handing him a one-year contract at Villa Park.
So how has he got on?
The 33-year-old was never going to be signed as a first-team player at Villa, but was rather a player snapped up to play a vital back-up role and do a job when called upon and he has performed that role admirably at Villa Park this season.
Steve Bruce manager of Aston Villa looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Aston Villa at iPro Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Derby, England.
His contract expires in the summer and it seems increasingly unlikely that he will be offered a new deal at the club. He has not featured in a matchday squad this year as he battles a hamstring injury and at 33, his time at Villa may be up.
But the way he fought for his chance at the club must be commended and if Villa do manage to win promotion this season his contribution will not be dismissed.
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