Defender Micah Richards remains an outcast at Villa.
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith was almost immediately asked about the future of Micah Richards, and his comments on the former Manchester City ace suggest that his future at the club remains ominous.
The 30-year-old has not played for Aston Villa for more than two years, that unwanted anniversary striking four days ago after he last appeared for the club on October 2016 against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Smith told the Telegraph as saying that Richards is not fit enough, yet: “Micah has not played for a long time so he’s not near fitness to be in contention at the moment,” Smith said. “We’ll see how his fitness builds over the next month or two.”
With James Chester and Axel Tuanzebe sitting ahead of him in the pecking order, and Smith said to be closing in on the signing of free agent James Collins after his contract expired at West Ham United.
So, Richards needs a move in the January transfer window, but a loan move is likely to be his only option as his wages demands are too much for clubs of this level to afford.
With Villa unlikely to send him to a rival, League One promotion contenders Sunderland should consider bringing Richards to Wearside on loan from January until the end of the season.
Sunderland have options at centre-back but injuries to Glenn Loovens this season has already seen Jack Ross have to use summer signing Alim Ozturk, who has been somewhat dodgy at the back.
Richards, who can offer cover at right-back and at centre-back, is certainly more than capable of playing in the Championship and would be a strong signing – if fit and boasting match sharpness.
So obtaining just that at Sunderland would be key for the ex-Fiorentina loanee if he is to salvage his career at Villa or indeed showing any other interested parties that he still has what it takes.
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