OPINION
Aaron Tshibola joined Aston Villa last summer when then club assistant Steve Clarke opted to bring the youngster to the Midlands from Reading.
The 22-year-old midfielder had worked with Clarke during this time at the Royals and he felt he could bring something extra to the then relegated Premier League side.
When Tshibola was given the opportunity to play, he showed great promise but he barely featured and became a fringe player when Roberto Di Matteo and Clarke were sacked after 11 matches of the previous campaign.
As a result, he was shunned out on loan to Nottingham Forest in January but upon his return this summer, Villa manager Steve Bruce should look to keep hold of the player.
He may not be the first name on the team sheet but ahead of a gruelling Championship season, he could prove to be a valuable squad player for Bruce.
Compared to the other midfielders at the club, Mile Jedinak, Gary Gardner, Henri Lansbury and Conor Hourihane, Tshibola could provide that extra energy and drive from the middle of the park.
During the brief game time he was given on the field of play, Tshibola also found the back of the net during a 1-1 draw against Newcastle.
Villa have struggled to find goals from midfield in recent seasons and Tshibola was showing great promise that he is willing to get forward and provide those goals for the club.