---
title: "Fans on social media say Axel Tuanzebe ‘didn’t perform’ as Aston Villa make transfer decision"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2022/01/10/fans-on-social-media-say-axel-tuanzebe-didnt-perform-as-aston-villa-make-transfer-decision/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2022-01-10T08:00:00Z"
modified: "2022-01-10T08:00:00Z"
---

# Fans on social media say Axel Tuanzebe ‘didn’t perform’ as Aston Villa make transfer decision

Axel Tuanzebe [cut his loan spell short at Aston Villa](https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1479825798903250946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) and was immediately loaned out to Napoli. The 24-year-old struggled for playing time in his third loan spell at Villa Park, so his exit wasn’t a surprise, but fans on [social media](https://twitter.com/greggevans40/status/1480117225948332038) believe his performances were to blame for the treatment.

> Let's face it he was poor on his return. One error strewn performance after another and when the 3 was ditched, never replacing Ty or Ezri.
>
> — Will Davies (@wilsterdavies1) [January 9, 2022](https://twitter.com/wilsterdavies1/status/1480138611513249793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Genuinely curious about his thought process, Gregg. Wanted by Villa, possibility of a permanent deal, opts to go out on loan again elsewhere with apparently no prospect of a longer stay. Looks for another loan in the summer?
>
> — Kevin Hughes (@KevHughesie) [January 9, 2022](https://twitter.com/KevHughesie/status/1480135622346031105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> He needs to play football. I understand it. He’s not getting in the team ahead of Konsa or Mings, and Gerrard less likely to play a back 3. Stays here he’ll get two more games before end of season.
>
> — Alex Berwick (@Alex\_Berwick) [January 9, 2022](https://twitter.com/Alex_Berwick/status/1480136643390627842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> The fact of the matter is..When called upon, he didn’t really look the player we thought. Some might say that is because he never had a run of games. I’ve never forgot what he did for us in the championship but a move for him to Napoli seemed right.
>
> — Beard Of The Match (@BeardOfTheMatch) [January 9, 2022](https://twitter.com/BeardOfTheMatch/status/1480117616291241985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/WanyeAVFC/status/1480119020938485762?s=20

> You earn your minutes, they are not simply handed out on a platter. Axel was part of our renaissance & will forever be held in high regard for that. Utd are all over the place defensively & it's telling that even they chose to let him go. Lacks positional nous & not top level.
>
> — Stuart Plant (@splanty19) [January 9, 2022](https://twitter.com/splanty19/status/1480148825692069888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> He's not good enough. Harsh but true.
>
> — David Way (@davidway16) [January 9, 2022](https://twitter.com/davidway16/status/1480158938712662026?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/ryanavfc7/status/1480118150796611584?s=20

> He didn’t exactly cover himself in glory when he did play…
>
> — J\_Villan17 (@J\_Villan17) [January 9, 2022](https://twitter.com/J_Villan17/status/1480117419414855683?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Didn’t perform well enough to deserve the minutes, unfortunately.
>
> — Eddie (@villaej\_) [January 9, 2022](https://twitter.com/villaej_/status/1480154704889925636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Can’t see how he was part of the long term plan really, not getting in ahead of konsa and Mings and we’d have to upgrade further to reach the next level. What was the plan for him@
>
> — Avfc316 (@avfc316) [January 9, 2022](https://twitter.com/avfc316/status/1480117734155423747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Tuanzebe made [11 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/axel-tuanzebe/leistungsdaten/spieler/342046) in all competitions for Villa this season, amassing 685 minutes of playing time. He found himself behind Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa in the [pecking order](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/ausfallzeiten/verein/405), so he had little choice but to move on for more opportunities.

Whether he’ll feature more heavily at Napoli remains to be seen, however, but the chance to play under Luciano Spalletti proved too good to turn down. *Gregg Evans* of [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/3056686/2022/01/09/the-draw-of-spalletti-need-for-minutes-contract-situation-why-tuanzebe-left-aston-villa-for-napoli/) revealed the Napoli manager told Tuanzebe of his plans this season, so perhaps there might be minutes coming his way.

Tuanzebe’s third stint at Villa Park is likely to be his last, but the Midlands outfit did try to sign him permanently – Villa wanted a buying option attached to the loan deal but Manchester United rejected it. Fans should wish him well, as he filled a void in the Championship but just couldn’t make the step up.

***[In other news, fans on social media say Aston Villa ‘will regret’ not extending Douglas Luiz’s contract](https://readastonvilla.com/fans-on-social-media-say-aston-villa-will-regret-not-extending-douglas-luizs-contract/)***