Soccer
Taylor Harwood-Bellis omitted from Aston Villa’s matchday squad to face Hull
Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ inauspicious start to life with Aston Villa continued as the deadline-day arrival’s Champions League disappointment was compounded by his matchday omission at Hull.
The 24-year-old starred for Southampton during last season’s futile run to the Championship play-off final as the ‘spygate’ scandal undid all the players’ hard work.
Harwood-Bellis always looked like one of Saints’ most saleable assets this summer and he finally completed a move to Aston Villa on Tuesday for a fee that could reach £30million.
The defender spoke with pride, desire and hunger upon joining a club that swiftly left him out of their Champions League squad.
Unai Emery admitted on Friday that it was a “hard decision” to exclude Harwood-Bellis, who received another gut punch the following day away to Hull.
The England international made the trip to East Yorkshire to face the Premier League surprise package but had to make do with a hot drink and a seat behind the dugout after being left out of the 20-man selection.
