With all eyes this afternoon on our final friendly of the summer as Aston Villa took on Italian Serie A newcomers Salernitana, shortly ahead of kick off the club confirmed that versatile Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe had returned to Villa Park for a third time.
The teams are in, but first…
Axel Tuanzebe is back! π#WelcomeBackAxel
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 8, 2021
The now 23-year-old comes in on a season long loan and as fans will know, he played a key part in our promotion drive back to the Premier League in 2019.
Having returned to Old Trafford, his game time undoubtedly hasn’t been what he would’ve hoped for but he does still boast Premier League, Champions League and Europa League experience, and we know just how good he can be when he finds his form.
Although he showed his talents in his last spell with us, I’m slightly torn on this one, as he has again signed a new contract with the ESL super reds before heading in our direction and there isn’t a buy clause in place. His new deal potentially runs until 2024, so I don’t see United just covering their backs there and being open to a sale come the end of the year.
This pre-match content. π#WelcomeBackAxel pic.twitter.com/krTc3auzrE
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 8, 2021
With that said, following the departure of Bjorn Engels, we did need cover and as a stop gap he can happily back up Kortney Hause who impressed plenty last season, as it means we save on a transfer fee, and, we can now loan out an additional youngster for real experience as opposed to throwing them in at the deep end if we have a defensive crisis.
United’s coverage of the deal makes it sound like they expect good game time for him, but that shouldn’t be the case as the days of us training up and giving experience to others clubs players should be long over.
We know he’ll give his all when called upon though, so welcome back Axel. I just wish there was a set buy clause.
OMFGGGG
— Comboed (@ComboedOW) August 8, 2021
YESSSSSSSSSS
— Harryβ (@HarryAVFC_) August 8, 2021
AXEL
— Camπ₯€ (@CamUTFV) August 8, 2021
YOU SEE HIM PLAYING FOOTBALL
— Reagan Martin (@Reaganavfc) August 8, 2021
Wow what an announcement
— George (@_GeorgeAVFC) August 8, 2021
πππ
— Nathan (@nthacker17) August 8, 2021
Serious strength in depth now π
— Thomas Queenan (@69Tom69) August 8, 2021
Welcome back!π
— StoryTeller1874 (@teller1874) August 8, 2021
πππ heβs here and heβs perfect!
— πππππ ππππ (@TheJonLea) August 8, 2021
Back where he belongsπ€©
— Villan's Opinions (@VillansOpinions) August 8, 2021
