Report: 27-year-old Aston Villa ace to return against Ipswich, Bruce gives verdict
By Will Butcher
Neil Taylor is expected to make his Aston Villa debut against Ipswich on Saturday, according to a report.
The 27-year-old missed Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest through illness, after putting pen to paper on a deadline-day move from Premier League side Swansea.
The Birmingham Mail claim Taylor will return from a sickness bug to make his first appearance in claret and blue against Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich at the weekend.
Manager Steve Bruce believes the Wales international will be a huge addition to the Midlands club, after revealing why he was unable to face two-time European Cup champions Forest.
“Taylor will make a big difference when he comes in to the left hand side,” said Bruce. “Unfortunately he was sick on Friday night so he couldn’t play.”
Taylor is likely to replace Jordan Amavi at left-back, as the Frenchman struggles to form any kind of consistency on the left side of defence.
Pressure is growing on manager Bruce after a run of seven games without a win, which has seen Villa lose five games to the likes of Cardiff, Tottenham and Brentford.
But the promotion expert will be hoping the addition of Taylor will bolster his side’s defence and help them get back to winning ways against the Tractor Boys.
Football Insider verdict:
Bringing Taylor back into the squad will be a lift to everyone at Villa Park, as his experience of the Football League will prove crucial to the Midlands giants. With Bruce looking to add proven quality to his side in an attempt to gain an instant return to the Premier League, Taylor’s presence in the side will bolster Villa’s defence as well as giving them an attacking outlet on the left flank. Starting him could also get the best out of strikers Jonathan Kodjia and Scott Hogan, as Taylor’s ability to provide an assist could give both attacking stars the chance to find the back of the net on a more regular basis. Adding to both attack and defence, then, could see Taylor prove an unsung hero in Villa’s revival.
In other Aston Villa news, Tony Xia has delivered this verdict on his side and manager Bruce.
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