Agbonlahor: Aston Villa have pulled off a great deal as true cost of Tuanzebe deal revealed
Axel Tuanzebe will provide crucial cover at Aston Villa and is well worth his £5million loan fee.
So says Villa Park icon Gabby Agbonlahor, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after Tuanzebe's capture was confirmed by the club on 8 August.
As revealed by this site the following day, Villa have paid Man United in excess of £5m to re-sign the defender on loan.
The 23-year-old spent two spells on loan at Villa Park in their 2017-18 and 2018-19 Championship campaigns.
The defender did not come off the bench as Dean Smith's side fell 3-2 to Watford yesterday (14 August).
Tuanzebe will be down the pecking order at Villa Park but the cover he provides will be invaluable, insists Agbonlahor.
He told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams: "Dean Smith is thinking that he's lost Engels and he needs to bring in another centre-half.
"He's had a look around and found Tuanzebe. That loan fee, £5m, is a lot of money for a player who probably won't play too much.
"But at least he's covered there now. The last thing you need is for you to not get cover in and then one of your centre-halves to get injured straight away.
"He has got a perfect defence now with Target, Young, Cash. Tuanzebe will be fourth-choice centre-half behind Hause, Mings and Konsa.
"But he can also be cover at right-back for Matty Cash. He's very strong and quick so for me it makes sense and he is good value."