Aston Villa loan winger Andre Green to Portsmouth, lessen attack strength
By Josh Tonti
20-year old winger André Green departs Aston Villa for League One’s surging Portsmouth.
Steve Bruce had exactly one attacking option to choose from in Tuesday’s embarrassing Carabao Cup defeat to Burton Albion. Ahmed Elmohamady, mostly a right-back under the manager, was the club’s only substitute in the 1-0 defeat.
One guy that would have helped? André Green.
But post-game it was reaffirmed what we had all expected after he was left out of the matchday 18. Green is going on-loan to League One side Portsmouth for the season.
Andre Green is heading out on loan to Portsmouth. #avfc
— Gregg Evans (@greggevans40) August 28, 2018
Andre Green is going out on loan to Portsmouth. #avfc
— matt maher (@mjmarr_star) August 28, 2018
The loan itself is no surprise, really. Bruce has been hesitant to trust the winger this season for whatever reasons. After the acquisitions of Anwar El Ghazi and Yannick Bolasie on-loan, there wouldn’t be too many starting opportunities for the young player. A place in the squad, however, was definitely still available with ongoing serious injuries to strikers Keinan Davis and Scott Hogan.
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Villa missed Green against Burton.
With just a goalkeeper, two centre-backs, two holding midfielders, Bjarnason, and Elmohamady to call from, Steve Bruce elected to trust his starters to gather an equalizing goal.
They almost did.
Albert Adomah’s 89th-minute penalty was saved by the deputy goalkeeper. Adomah subsequently skied the follow-up over the bar from two yards out…
At Pompey, Green should get the opportunity to play a full professional season – something he has not done in the two previous, injury-stricken years. For some Villa players, loans have been the turning points in their claret and blue return. Jack Grealish 39-game season at Notts was highly beneficial to the then 19-year old.
Others have found it more difficult. Easah Suliman barely saw the pitch at Grimsby Town last season and hasn’t again for Eredivisie side FC Emmen thus far.
The whole timing of the move, however, is just bizarre. Moreover, it’s a little risky. Bolasie has yet to be tested at Villa, is coming off a serious knee injury and a poor half-season at Everton. Hogan and Davis still have question marks on possible return dates.
Today was a prime opportunity to let Adomah and/or El Ghazi sit with a long season ahead of both.