Earlier this afternoon Aston Villa confirmed that centre-half Tommy Elphick had made his loan move out to Hull City.
We can confirm that Tommy Elphick has departed for @HullCity in a season-long loan deal ⏩
All the best, Tommy.#AVFC pic.twitter.com/dnflK8ylQi
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 31, 2018
Speculation earlier in the day suggested Hull had stolen a march on others like Queens Park Rangers for his services, and in his pre-game press conference manager Steve Bruce confirmed that something was likely to happen for the 30-year-old who for some reason just did not feature in his plans, and that has now come to pass.
His opportunities have always been limited with us for varying reasons and it’s fair to say the fan base is split on him – he must be a better option than Mile Jedinak in the heart of the defence, but equally, he’s shown himself to be steady at points but he’s never really wowed.
The loan move is in the best interests of everyone though as if his face doesn’t fit for Bruce then it’s pointless having him sit around, and for a variety of reasons, it’s better for us that he gets back out on the pitch and hopefully impresses and comes back into our plan – or alternatively – simply sees his stock rise for transfer purposes in January or next summer as we continue to look at balancing the books after spending in recent seasons.
Cool story bro, do you wanna confirm his replacement now? Oh wait, there isn't one. pic.twitter.com/4KsPm8zQo2
— Holte (@TheHolteTweets) August 31, 2018
we’ve got Micah Richards ffs, calm down???????
— dannyy (@smudgerAV) August 31, 2018
Hutton, played there in preseason. Hutton and Jedinak centreback duo. pic.twitter.com/GbJAV3GndV
— Richard E. (@richoleque) August 31, 2018
We can just get a GK in and play him as CB, simples! pic.twitter.com/uSeE4HuUPU
— Louise (@LouLou2109) August 31, 2018
You joke but it could happen ??
— Villan (@mrmrbear9) August 31, 2018
Good job I’ve gone back to personal training sessions, just in case I’m needed to cover at CB. I’m 55, female (so not eligible to play), of very average height and still head a ball with my eyes closed. Based on current recent choices for that role, I’m in with a shout. Ffs.??
— Nicola Partridge (@NicolaPartridg2) August 31, 2018
Exactly
— Shaun Edwards (@shauned88) August 31, 2018
Deserves to be playing good luck Tommy. #utv
— BobV3 (@BobVee3) August 31, 2018
Oh good. So we only have Jedinak at cover.
— Suki (@Holte_AVFC) August 31, 2018
Bruce wants that £2 million pay off, he's doing this on purpose.
— Big Wiz (@AaronJWiz) August 31, 2018
Bruce panicking to buy a CB but let’s one go out on loan ??
— Jak Batty (@jak_batty) August 31, 2018
Feel for him, never been given a real chance and when he has played he's done nothing wrong. Personally would love Chester and elphick as our back two, more than capable of doing a job. All the best tommy ????
— Josh H (@JoshHulley) August 31, 2018
41 games left in the season and we currently have 2 centre halves, this is absolute insanity, even if a replacement for Tommy comes in before the deadline. I’m just baffled by Bruce really, impossible to see the logic in some of his decisions this season #avfc
— Noel (@NoelM1986) August 31, 2018
I think that suitably covers all the possible reactions to this news.
I’d be off for a lie down if I could!
Somebody has to be incoming, even if you factor in Axel Tuanzebe and James Bree stepping up, or maybe it’s Jacob Bedeau’s time to shine but nothing has indicated that so far?