Elphick thrown lifeline as club try to steady ship
CAST your mind back to 2016: Tommy Elphick has just signed for Villa and is setting about impressing supporters in his first pre-season.
Fast-forward two years and the vastly-experienced central defender is in the same boat. The club’s failure to achieve promotion last season – and their desperation to shed the wage bill – has handed Elphick a Villa Park lifeline.
The 30-year-old is on Reading’s radar having impressed at the Madejski during four loan outings last term, but they have been told to look elsewhere for now as Elphick bids to answer Steve Bruce’s call and replace John Terry in the heart of defence.
He will be given his chance to impress in pre-season and his audition continued during Saturday’s pre-season friendly at Kidderminster.
In a strong line-up, his defensive ability was rarely tested, it was more about Elphick utilising his organisational and leadership skills to make the match as comfortable as possible for his young team-mates.
Easah Suliman, playing alongside Elphick, benefited massively from the ex-Bournemouth captain’s constant shouts and willingness to make himself available for a pass.
Midfielder Jack Clarke was also able to tap into Elphick’s ability to read the game.
Elphick has looked uneasy at times during his stint at Villa, but there’s a belief inside the club that he’s now comfortable with life at Villa Park and remains eager to take his second chance.
He is renowned as one of Villa’s best professionals. Alongside James Chester and Glenn Whelan, Elphick has tried to pass on good habits to his team-mates in training and matches.
He trained well out in Portugal and looks as fit as ever.
The games come thick and fast in the coming weeks as the season draws closer, but Elphick’s work in the summer is already reaping rewards.
His place in the starting XI appears assured at present with Chester the only other senior centre-back on the books, although Bruce hopes to get at least one new defender.
Elphick’s advantage is that he has first refusal on a spot in the backline. If he impresses, he’ll start at Hull on August 6. Villa’s other central defenders lack experience with Suliman and Mitch Clark only having two Carabao Cup outings between them. ALEX DICKEN