Aston Villa defender James Bree has had a difficult couple of years, with things not really going to plan for the 21-year-old at Villa Park.  

According to the Birmingham Mail, Steve Bruce spent £3m on the right-back in January 2017, after Bree had impressed during the first-half of the 2016/17 campaign for Barnsley.

However, he’s managed only 21 Championship appearances in the claret and blue of Villa in two years, with just 15 of those coming in the starting XI.

Now, he finds himself on loan across the Championship with Ipswich Town.

This week, the defender has told Ipswich’s official media that he isn’t happy with his progress at Villa Park: “I haven’t kicked on since signing for Villa a couple of years ago as much as I’d wanted to.” 

Where that leaves Bree in the summer remains to be seen, but even the fact he’s out on loan suggests his long-term future might not lie at B6.

With that in mind, we take a look at THREE options Bree might consider in the summer…

A return to Villa

Firstly, Bree will return to Villa and the attitude he will likely take is that he wants to impress his parent-club.

It might’ve been a tough few years, but Bree will back himself to be good enough for Villa and will want to make a fist of things.

An impressive loan spell opens a door for him under Dean Smith.

A permanent departure

Alternatively, we could see Bree push for a permanent exit.

Things haven’t worked out at Villa Park and even Smith, who is known for promoting young talent, hasn’t given Bree much of a chance.

A number of Championship clubs would be in for a player of this standard.

A return to Ipswich

Bree has made only two starts for Ipswich, but he’s completed 90 minutes on both occasions.

He seems to be enjoying his football again and Portman Road might well be his home next season.

Of course, Ipswich could be a League One outfit, but a manager like Paul Lambert could help Bree rediscover his very best.