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Aston Villa: Taking a look at the depth chart following Axel’s loan signing

By Josh Tonti

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Axel Tuanzebe (R) and Kieran Dowell (L) of England U21's during a training session at St Georges Park on November 8, 2017 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Axel Tuanzebe (R) and Kieran Dowell (L) of England U21's during a training session at St Georges Park on November 8, 2017 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) /
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Aston Villa’s loan signing of Axel Tuanzebe from Manchester United adds valuable depth to the defensive ranks.

I ran with a quick spreadsheet I made for Twitter and decided to make a post about it.

Regardless of Steve Bruce’s intention for the highly-rated Tuanzebe, this much is clear: He adds a whole lot of quality to a number of positions that remained an injury or two from being in critical condition.

Goalkeeper

Sam Johnstone remains firmly-entrenched as Aston Villa’s number one goalkeeper. He has been a steadying presence along the back line – conceding just 25 goals in 28 league matches all season. Yes, he has John Terry and James Chester to thank, but he’s largely been solid all year. Deputy goalkeeper Jed Steer, 25, underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. Veteran number three Mark Bunn takes his place on the bench with 20-year Matija Sarkic in reserve. If anything happened to Johnstone, Sarkic could get a look in net.

Right Fullback

Ahmed Elmohamady remains the incumbent. He is proving everyone wrong in the position after a woeful season at RFB with Hull City last year. The Egyptian international trails only Robert Snodgrass in assists for Villa. This is where Tuanzebe factors in, as Ritchie De Laet departed on loan to Royal Antwerp. James Bree could soon follow suit. Alan Hutton looks far better on the left than on the right.

Center Back

James Chester on the right, John Terry on the left. Tuanzebe, again, figures to have first crack in central defense should something befall Villa’s sterling partnership. Christopher Samba continues to battle injury, but he’s trusted by Steve Bruce. Tommy Elphick could leave the club, who knows. Mile Jedinak and Easah Suliman (for now) in reserve.

Left Fullback

The Scottish Robert Carlos keeps his place on the left. He is proving everyone, including myself, wrong. Neil Taylor follows closely with that man Axel Tuanzebe in reserve. Here’s some footage of Tuanzebe playing LCB/LB:

Defensive Midfield

This is where it gets interesting. Birkir Bjarnason’s renaissance as a ball-controlling number six complicates matters (in a very good way) for manager Steve Bruce. One would think he has first crack until proven otherwise.

Mile Jedinak is rarely fit anymore, but he’s right up there when so. Axel Tuanzebe figures to fight for this position too. Suddenly, Glenn Whelan’s first-team chances look sparse.

Central Midfield/Attacking Midfield

Conor Hourihane and Jack Grealish are not going anywhere. Henri Lansbury and Josh Onomah mix-in sporadically as quality back-up options. Glenn Whelan and Callum O’Hare in reserve.

Right Midfield/Left Midfield

Per WhoScored, Robert Snodgrass is Aston Villa’s highest rated performer this season. Albert Adomah probably spells Snoddy should the Scotland international ever not play, with André Green and Birkir Bjarnason coming in to play on the left.

Striker

Scott Hogan, Keinan Davis, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, in that order. It would take a downtrodden run of form for Bruce to utilize a strike partnership from here on out. Doing so would require sacrificing one of Grealish, Adomah, or Snodgrass in the starting lineup.

Will the club bring-in a center-forward on loan to shake-up this mix?

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