Tuanzebe and Lansbury Set to Return at Pivotal Time

Both Axel Tuanzebe and Henri Lansbury returned to Aston Villa training today, at a time that could not be better for the club. Of course, it would be better if neither of them had been injured in the first place, but hypothetical’s don’t help anyone.

With the final run in of the Sky Bet Championship season, the club need as many quality, fit players at their disposal, especially in the case of Axel Tuanzebe after injuries to James Chester, Alan Hutton and Tommy Elphick have left the side unbalanced at the back.

With some huge games coming, against fellow promotion candidates Middlesbrough, Bristol City, Norwich and Leeds, the prospect of actually having an added option in both defence and midfield for rotation or to curb an injury crisis is something that we can’t take for granted.

As well as this, forward Keinan Davis seems to be back in training after aggravating a long term injury as he was pictured training today.

In the case of Henri Lansbury, the former Nottingham Forest man has not played much of a part this season.

The midfielder, at 28-years-old, has managed three appearances for Aston Villa – one in the Sky Bet Championship against Birmingham City at Villa Park, in which he was subbed on and then off within eight minutes after pulling his hamstring. He returned a few months later, with a substitute appearance against Swansea in which he impressed enough to warrant fans calling for him to start the next game.

Unfortunately, he’d pulled his hamstring again. His only other appearance came in the EFL cup earlier in the season. 

If Lansbury can stay fit in training, he could have a small part to play in Aston Villa’s season and the season defining games that are remaining.

For Axel Tuanzebe, the Manchester United loanee is returning from a horrible metatarsal injury, akin to the one that John Terry suffered last season and triggered the first loan of Tuanzebe under Steve Bruce’s play-off final side.

But with a towering frame, exceptional pace and the ability to bring the ball out from the back, he’d fit in perfectly in a back four consisting of Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause, whilst allowing Ahmed Elmohamady to remain at right-back during his good form as shown against Derby County and Birmingham City.

The 21-year-old defender has played in 22 games for Aston Villa this season, with 19 of those coming in the league. For six of those appearances, he played at right back, and thirteen at centre-back. With Tuanzebe in the side, Aston Villa managed to pick up 27 points amongst some disappointing losses, interesting draws and emphatic wins.

Regardless of your opinions on both of the players, there’s no better thing than having them as options for what could be some of the most important games in the season. 

Both should be available for selection after the international break.