Tommy Elphick has not enjoyed the best time since arriving at Aston Villa in the summer.
Tommy Elphick
A report in the Birmingham Mail has suggested that if the decision is up to Steve Bruce, he would prefer to have Tommy Elphick at Aston Villa next season, despite his difficult first year at Villa Park.
Elphick was the Villans’ first signing following their relegation from the Premier League, with the club paying around £3 million for the former Bournemouth centre-back in the summer (via BBC Sport).
However, he has largely struggled to justify that fee with his form often being overshadowed by the likes of Nathan Baker, James Chester, and now, Mile Jedinak – despite the Australian spending most of his career as a holding midfielder.
And with the manager who brought him to the club in the first place, Roberto Di Matteo, being sacked early on in the campaign, some would have possibly expected Elphick to be on his way in the summer before his career really began to stagnate on the Villa bench.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
However, the Mail suggests that that outcome may be unlikely as Bruce wants to keep the 29-year-old due to the professionalism he brings to the squad, but it may not be that simple.
The Mail adds that Elphick’s future practically rests in the defender’s own hands, so if he wants to move on, it seems that Villa will not look to stand in his way.
And unfortunately, if he does decide to leave, it seems unlikely that many Villa fans will be that disappointed.
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