Aston Villa's £3m defender returns from injury hell with first appearance in more than two years

The former Wycombe and Wolves defender signed for Villa back in January 2019 for a reported fee of around £3m, after initially arriving on loan.

The ex-West Ham academy youngster helped Villa win promotion back to the top flight before his move was made permanent, and he had a successful start to life in the top flight.

He bagged a memorable winner in a 1-0 over Manchester United in September 2021, and featured in 18 Premier League games that season.

The following summer he joined Championship side Watford on loan, before suffering repeated knee problems.

Watford reportedly attempted to send him back to Villa, but he did not return and wasn't included in the Hornets' squad for the second half of the campaign.

The following season he underwent multiple knee surgeries, before returning to training with the under 21 side in a bid to gain fitness and find a move away from Villa.

In January last year, he did return to first team training but not into the first team squad. In December, The Athletic reported that Hause will departed the club at the end of his contract.

However, he made a return to competitive football on this week, when he featured for Villa's under 21 side.

Hause was named on the side to take on Burton Albion in the Birmingham Senior Cup, a game in which Villa's youngsters were beaten 1-0.

The defender played the first half before being substituted at half time in the defeat.