OFFICIAL: Aston Villa centre-back joins Championship side on loan

According to the BBC Sport, Reading have sealed the deal for Aston Villa defender Tommy Elphick, who is coming on a loan until the end of the season.

The former Bournemouth player has been on the fringes of Villa’s side, with manager Steve Bruce favoring James Chester and John Terry over him and the arrival of Manchester United starlet Axel Tuanzebe has finally closed the space for Elphick.

The Royals boss Jaap Stam has been looking for some quality central defender to bolster his backline after tenuous performances from Tiago Ilori over the last few months and Liam Moore’s future still hanging in the balance.

Reading are slipping towards relegation zone after failing to win in their last five league matches, and the Dutch manager hopes to shake his team ahead of the second part of the season.

Elphick is expected to make his debut this Tuesday against Burton Albion. Paul McShane is currently struggling with a hamstring injury, so the 30-year-old centre-back he should bring the necessary stability and experience to the team.