Loan limit is no headache for Aston Villa says Dean Smith

The defender is back available after recovering from the foot injury which kept him sidelined since mid-December.

But it means Smith now has six loan players to call on, when only five can be named in a matchday squad.

Villa, who signed Tuanzebe, Anwar El Ghazi and Tammy Abraham last summer, added Kortney Hause, Tyrone Mings and Tom Carroll during the January window.

Smith admitted the club were aware of the rules but believes the decision has been vindicated, particularly by the form of Mings and Hause, who have helped to fix Villa’s leaky defence.

The boss said: “We were aware of the situation at the time but they were the players we could bring in.

“We had Axel out with an injury. We are glad he is coming back as it is a boost for us. Again it gives me another problem to solve but that is what I am paid for.”

Tuanzebe admits he is facing a battle to force his way back into contention, with Villa having kept three clean sheets in their last four games. He said: “The competition is a good thing to have. The manager has options and it allows us to have rotation. If you have competition you can have people at 100 per cent.

“It is good to see the team is confident and buzzing again. There is nothing more I could wish for.

“This is a good time to come back. Everyone is feeling good and confident. I’ve come back into positive energy.”