A rarely-spotted Aston Villa player sent a heartfelt message to fans after the 3-3 draw with Liverpool on Monday night.
This season has been a real rollercoaster ride for Villa, who saw their Europa Conference League adventure ended at the semi-final stage and the club are now on the brink of the Champions League.
Unai Emery has built an incredibly positive environment and the remarkable comeback from 3-1 down to take a point off of Liverpool on Monday further highlights the never say die mentality the Spanish coach has instilled at the club.
However, for one player watching on from the outside, it has been an incredibly frustrating this season.
Kortney Hause issues emotional message after difficult season
That player is Kortney Hause.
The 28-year-old has had to watch on as his teammates enjoy a fine campaign in what has been a torrid time for the defender.
Hause was forced to have surgery on a knee injury sustained whilst on loan at Watford last season and has not played a minute since September 2022.
The former Wolves man finally returned to training in January of this year but is unlikely to appear for Villa again following such a long lay-off and with the progress the club have made on the pitch whilst he has been out.
He is a forgotten figure at Villa Park, but Hause issued an update on ‘X’ in the aftermath of Villa’s final game of the season.
Hause posted a video of him taking pictures with fans on the lap of appreciation that followed the last home game of the season, alongside the message:
“I cannot hide the fact that I’ve been absent for a very long time which has affected me in many ways as you can all imagine not being able to do what you genuinely love has been extremely frustrating for me on a personal note nevertheless seeing what the boys have achieved not only tonight but this season has been motivational.
“Also the support & words of encouragement I have received over the time I’ve been absent from you villa fans has played a big part in me continuing to work and fight back to full fitness which I believe will be very soon. So just a massive thank you to you all and up the villa!!!”
What next for Hause?
The priority for Hause will of course be getting back fit and staying injury free.
However, if the centre-back is to play regularly again upon regaining his fitness that may have to be away from Villa Park.
Having been loaned out to Championship side Watford prior to sustaining the injury that has kept him out the best part of 20 months, it is almost unthinkable that Hause will ever be a Villa regular.
Prior to the loan to Watford and injury that followed, Hause last played in the Premier League for Villa in January 2022.
Therefore, he may have to seek pastures new to revive his career and the Championship may well be the most likely destination for the man that has made 55 Villa appearances according to Transfermarkt.
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