Steve Bruce has revealed there are several Aston Villa players facing an exit from the club, with the majority facing temporary exits rather than permanent.
The Villans boss provided a transfer update in his press conference ahead of his side’s clash with Nottingham Forest.
Bruce shared that there are several youngsters who are available to loan and that the club would be listening to offers for those deemed surplus to requirements.
“If it’s right in terms of a loan I will look at it but not to the detriment of the first team,” admitted Bruce, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail.
“The likes of Andre Green, Keinan (Davis), Callum O’Hare and people who have been on the fringes of it then no, but some of the younger lads, Easah Suliman is one I will look at.
“I’m not against any of the younger ones (going out on loan), I think a lot of them got their eyes opened last week when they saw Peterborough; It’s the next progression.”
The Aston Villa manager went on to reveal the club will “listen to offers” for Aaron Tshibola, who had a loan spell at MK Dons this season, and that the club remain in negotiations about extending Ross McCormack stay with Melbourne City.
Bruce went on to confirm that there might be one or two departing in total, with the Birmingham Mail reporting that Tommy Elphick and Birkir Bjarnason could be among those facing an exit.
OPINION
Aston Villa have Financial Fair Play guidelines hanging over them after previously spending big, so it makes sense that a few may depart in this window. However, Bruce seems to be implying the majority of those leaving in January, will only be gone temporarily. It makes sense for the Villans to try and secure their youth prospects with regular football, as it’s the only way they will improve. Peterborough handed a lot of them a footballing lesson when Bruce fielded a young team in the FA Cup. The experienced manager knows that securing their youth players with experience is a great way of improving the squad without spending.