"Top class" Lovre Kalinic backed to bounce back from tough start at Aston Villa

The Croatia international goalkeeper has conceded eight times in his first three games since a £5.4million switch from Gent.

Kalinic was at fault for Hull’s opening goal in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Villa Park, though he did make a crucial save at the death from Chris Martin to preserve a point.

And centre-back Elphick believes the 27-year-old will only get the better the more he adapts to the English game.

He said: “That was was a massive save at the end on Saturday. He (Kalinic) was also probably one of the few players to come out with credit at Wigan the week before with the saves he made early on in the game.

“Mentally it’s a tough thing to do, move clubs, move countries, so we have to get behind him and he is a top class keeper. He has showed that in training and he will come through.”

Villa have confirmed the departure of Andre Moreira with the goalkeeper returning to Atletico Madrid.

The 23-year-old Portuguese shot-stopper has cut short a season-long loan after failing to make a single Championship appearance.

He becomes the latest loan player to leave Villa in the space of a few days, with winger Yannick Bolasie having returned to parent club Everton on Monday.

Speaking to AVTV about Bolasie’s departure, boss Dean Smith explained: “I spoke to Yannick after the game with Hull on Saturday and then on Sunday.

“He felt he was a little bit off where he needed to be and felt it was in his best interest to go back to Everton and do that.

“He is a great lad, who has created some assists for us. But probably didn’t impact the games in 90 minutes as much as he would have liked and we all would have liked.

“We must remember he came here after an ACL operation looking to regain his fitness, which he has got now.

“He is a really good lad and I will miss him around the place. But that is what happens in football. We have to move on.”