Aaron Tshibola has departed Villa in a permanent deal, joining Belgian side Waasland-Beveren in a three year deal.
Tshibola arrived with much fanfare in the infancy on the Tony Xia era and was amongst many high value but ultimately flawed purchases by the short-lived Roberto Di Matteo reign.
At £7 million, the fee paid to Reading for his services, Tshibola whilst showing brief glimmers of promise, looked decidedly raw as Villa attempted to come to terms with Championship life.
The Congolese international rapidly lost form and favour at Villa Park and found himself shipped out on loan to Nottingham Forest and MK Dons. He was never considered by either Steve Bruce nor Dean Smith.
Tshibola has spent the last two seasons loaned out to Kilmarnock, repeatedly linking up with Steve Clarke, whom he worked under at Reading and was Di Matteo’s assistant at Villa.
Despite a surprise inclusion in Villa’s matchday squad as recently as this Tuesday (Crewe 6-1), Tshibola was always going to be surplus to requirements at Villa Park.