31-year-old Aston Villa centre-half Tommy Elphick can rightly look back on his spell at the club and describe it as mixed.
He arrived from Bournemouth for a reported £3million back in the summer of 2016 but having fallen out of favour, and been hit with injuries, he only made 39 starts for the club despite carrying the armband for a period.
Having been loaned out again at the end of the transfer window, head coach Dean Smith moved quickly in January to get him back and he played his part in helping us to the Play-Off Final against Derby County this year, so he undoubtedly goes out on a high with his contract expiring.
Thank you @AVFCOfficial it’s been a privilege to captain and play for you. So happy for the players, staff and fans to be back in the prem and end on a high.
— Tommy Elphick (@TommyElph4) May 31, 2019
With the celebrations now over (for some) Elphick took to Twitter to send what everyone expects to be his goodbye message on Friday afternoon and the reaction from fans was suitably classy and deserved.
He had his wobbly moments but he always gave his all, and that’s all you can ask – he’ll have no problems finding a new club.
Leaving with great dignity. Good luck with your next club and thanks for your efforts. ????✌️
— Vital Villa (@VitalVilla) May 31, 2019
All the best Tommy, said when I did the Luke shoot with you that you’d had little or no luck since you came to Villa. Leave with your head held high, with the club in a better place than when you arrived.
All the best with what’s next ???????? pic.twitter.com/uvKMavZSpe
— Dan Bardell (@danbardell) May 31, 2019
Thanks for everything tommy ???????? all the best for the future and thanks for the pic ???? UTV pic.twitter.com/OZU8ZAoDzi
— Jess (@JessAvfcx) May 31, 2019
Thank you for your loyalty and sticking by us through thick and thin. Best of luck in the future ????????
— Lou Jarratt (@LouJ1612) May 31, 2019
consummate professional, thank you for always giving your all. good luck Tommy ????????✌ #UTV
— Rachel Malloch (@RachelVillavox) May 31, 2019
A total pro. No luck at all here with injuries and the manager who was here, before this one. You never let it get you down and always gave it everything, on and off the pitch. Whoever gets you next, will get a cracking addition. ????????
— Howard Hodgson (@HodgsonHoward) May 31, 2019
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