Exiled Aston Villa star returns from loan spell early after crushing injury blow

Aston Villa have welcomed defender Kortney Hause back to the West Midlands after his loan spell was cut short.

Hause has spent the season so far on loan with Watford, but his time with the Hornets has now drawn to a close, as detailed by The Athletic. The defender has been struggling with a knee injury, and there was uncertainty over his situation on the back of the January transfer window, with Watford signing Wesley Hoedt to replace him.

According to the report, the PFA have been in discussions with Villa and Watford over the situation, with Hause left out of Watford’s squad for the second part of the season, leaving him ineligible to play. As a result, Hause has returned to Villa, where he will receive treatment on his knee injury.

Due to there being no break clause in the loan agreement, Watford are said to be liable for the contribution total they agreed to pay towards Hause’s contract until the agreement ends in the summer. Though, it does mean that even if Hause does return to fitness, he won’t be able to play for his parent club or his loan club due to being excluded from both league squads, which have already been finalised.

Hause has played a total of three Championship games this season, picking up his knee injury in October.

Speaking about Hause and striker Rey Manaj, who was released after picking up an injury, Watford boss Slaven Bilic said: “You have a good centre-back and a good striker and then suddenly they are not there and they’ve never been there (due to injury).”

Hause is under contract with Villa until 2025, and he will now work towards returning in the West Midlands ahead of looking for a fresh start in the pre-season, whether that is at Villa Park or beyond.