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Dean Smith is recalling his second senior Villa player of the window (Elphick being the first) — this time with a look to improving Aston Villa’s attack. Young winger Andre Green is heading back to Birmingham after a mixed time with League One Portsmouth.
We can confirm that @AndreGreen_ has today returned to the club following his loan spell at Portsmouth.
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) January 17, 2019
Welcome back, Andre!#PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/EJ3RMltKHR
Green picked up a knee injury that disrupted his time time away but still made 12 appearances — with six starts in cup competitions. Notably he scored last minute winners against Rochdale (FA Cup second round) and Norwich (FA Cup third round). In total Green found the net five times.
Green took to Twitter to thank his hosts for the last few months.
I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone at @officialpompey massive club with exciting times ahead! Thank you to all the staff,players and fans you’ve all been amazing See you all soon #pompey
— André Green (@AndreGreen_) January 17, 2019
Maybe Green should always play against Norwich — his opponent for his first senior goal for Villa.
"Shifts it and scores quite brilliantly! Andre Green, with his first goal for the club and it's a beauty!"
— AVFC Goals (@avfcgoals) May 29, 2018
Andre Green v Norwich City (19/08/2017) #AVFC pic.twitter.com/wTE2zv8ycD
Green joins the wing core of Albert Adomah, Anwar El Ghazi, and Yannick Bolasie. With the latter two being loans and all three recently disappointing (along with the whole team really) — the recall makes sense. I’d imagine we will see Green off the bench at first but he will be given the chance to show Dean Smith what he is capable of in the Championship. The 20-year old has 18 months left on a contract he signed in March 2018.
Hopefully Green has more luck than Jordan Lyden — who was recalled — then suffered a season ending injury in training.