Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield doesn’t believe that Axel Tuanzebe has looked completely solid in a back three.
The 23-year-old signed a season-long loan deal with Aston Villa during the summer, with Tuanzebe returning to Villa Park having spent time on loan with the club during the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 campaigns.
Prior to joining Aston Villa on loan again, Tuanzebe put pen-to-paper on a contract extension with parent club Manchester United, which will run until June 2023.
Where will Aston Villa finish in the Premier League this season?
Top Four
5-10
11-15
16-20
Former Villa manager Dean Smith has opted at times to play a three at the back system this season, with Hatfield believing that Tuanzebe hasn’t looked completely solid in the system.
“So, there are a couple of players who maybe there are question marks over. Axel Tuanzebe, has he looked completely solid in a three? Maybe not,” Hatfield said to This is Futbol.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Manchester United match earlier this season, Smith was delighted to have Tuanzebe at Aston Villa, telling the club’s official website: “He’s a fantastic player, that’s why we wanted him. On top of that, he’s got an unbelievable attitude and application to the game.”
Alongside Tuanzebe, Aston Villa also brought in Leon Bailey, Emi Buendia, Ashley Young and Danny Ings this summer and with the new players you would imagine that the club would be looking to improve on last season’s eleventh place league finish.