Aston Villa have told Hull City to forget about re-signing defender Tommy Elphick after recalling him from his loan spell at the KCOM Stadium, according to reports the Hull Daily Mail.

The 31-year-old was sent on loan to the Tigers at the end of the summer transfer window, after becoming surplus to requirements under former Villa chief Steve Bruce.

But the former AFC Bournemouth captain has now been recalled from his loan spell with Nigel Adkins' men, after playing a huge role in turning around the Tigers' fortunes this season. Elphick was a mainstay in a Hull defence that jumped from out of the relegation zone and into a solid mid-table position in the Sky Bet Championship.

Villa may have bolstered their defensive options recently, with the signing of Wolves' Kortney Hause on Monday afternoon, but with Axel Tuanzebe out for two months with a long-term injury, Dean Smith's men will not allow Elphick to leave on loan for a second time.

The Villans currently sit 10th in the table, five points off the play-off places after just one win in their last six games. Hull, on the other hand, sit three places below Villa in 13th place, after five successive league victories.

The Verdict

This is a huge blow for Hull.

Elphick was absolutely fantastic during his brief spell with the Tigers, and his experience and quality at the back really showed as he helped guide them up the table.

He should be starting for Villa week in, week out, in my opinion.

Thoughts? Let us know!