We find ourselves heading towards the end of May and the only thing on anyone’s mind is the upcoming Play-Off Final clash against Fulham at Wembley Stadium.
With the full focus on that, news is quiet at the moment (unless you live for the rumours), so this seems as good a time as any to nail down the final loan update for the season.
None of our loan lads are involved in a season extension with their temporary clubs, so here’s how the batch that remained away from Bodymoor Heath faired since the last update.
Aaron Tshibola:
The 23-year-old had two loan spells across the season. Last July he headed to MK Dons, making 15 starting appearances with a further showing from the substitutes bench. He scored his only goal for the club in their EFL Trophy clash with Brighton’s Under 23 side.
Seeing his loan cut short two weeks into the month of November, January saw a move to Scottish side Kilmarnock. During his time north of the border, he made ten started appearances with an additional four showings from the bench. He added a second goal to his name in their game against Brora Rangers in February.
Carles Gil:
25-year-old Gil headed back to Deportivo La Coruna over the summer for a second season-long loan spell, but this time it was reported there was a buy clause inserted into the deal that should’ve come into force at the end of the season. Having recovered from a reasonably long-term injury, he returned to full fitness and action in November and has eleven appearances to his name this campaign. He hasn’t played since mid-March though and it’s suggested their ‘obligation’ to purchase him is null and void following relegation.
‘Gotta Give Him A Chance,’ ‘Lightweight’ – Villa Fans Divided On Reports Of Playmaker’s Return
Pierluigi Gollini:
23-year-old goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini has now come to the end of his 18-month loan out with Atalanta after making the move back in January 2017. In 2017/18 he made nine appearances for the side, keeping three clean sheets.
Gary Gardner:
25-year-old Gary Gardner headed out for a spell at Oakwell with Barnsley at the end of August. He leaves them with 30 appearances in total. 29 were from the start with a single substitute showing. He also scored twice, in games against Sheffield United and Bolton Wanderers.
Harry McKirdy:
21-year-old youngster Harry McKirdy headed out to League Two side Crewe Alexandra in late January, making his debut and scoring a goal in their game against Wycombe Wanderers as a substitute. He leaves them with three goals to his name and five starting appearances. The bulk of his games came as a substitute as he was selected off the bench on eleven occasions.
Ritchie De Laet:
Fullback Ritchie de Laet headed back to Belgium in late January, making a move to Royal Antwerp. He made 13 starting appearances for them with an additional showing from the bench. There was supposed to be a buy deal in place on this one, but Antwerp are quibbling it seems.
Tommy Elphick:
Tommy Elphick almost got his wish for greater game time with a late January switch to Reading. He made his debut against Burton Albion as a substitute and made his first start in their game against Millwall in early February. Unfortunately, he suffered a significant injury and they are the only two appearances he made for the Royals until he returned to fitness in late April. With a return to fitness, he made two more appearances – he leaves with two starts and two substitute showings.
Easah Suliman:
Eash Suliman made a late deadline move out to Grimsby Town and he finally made his debut for them, starting the game against Port Vale in early March. He had to wait a while for another appearance but made a substitute showing in their game in April against Swindon Town.
That’s your lot for the season and now we see what happens with the Play-Off final as we look to make decisions on the playing staff for the coming year.
As it stands it looks like everyone is returning to us though but that could obviously change in the coming weeks as the transfer market hots up.
