A defensive duo and substandard striker look surplus to requirements at Villa Park this summer.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has some big decisions to make this summer regarding some ineffectual members of his playing squad.
The Midlands giants have spent the majority of their debut season in the Championship in relative obscurity – despite an upturn in league position since Bruce’s arrival earlier in the season.
Much of the inconsistency attributed to Villa throughout this campaign, aside from the managerial change in October, may well sit with the talented collection of players at Bruce’s disposal.
Whilst there have been some standouts – goal getter Jonathan Kodjia worthy of particular mention – there have been many who have certainly underperformed and should be considered for the Villa Park exit door this summer.
Micah Richards
Whatever happened to the career of Micah Richards? The answer is a conundrum to many – considering that the former Manchester City ace was tipped for greatness after making an impressive start to both his Premier League and international career as a teenager.
Richards, who became England’s youngest ever defender when making his Three Lions debut in 2006, left Manchester City in 2015 after a year long loan spell with Fiorentina ended his decade at the Etihad Stadium. However, upon signing for Villa at the start of last season’s relegation campaign, the 28-year-old finds himself firmly out of the first team picture – behind a plethora of defenders at Bruce’s disposal.
Considering his still relatively young age and severe lack of game time, it could prove mutually beneficial for both parties if Richards departs Villa this summer.
Libor Kozak
The Czech Republic international forward has failed to make the grade since joining Villa in the summer of 2013. Kozak, signed from Lazio by then Villa boss Paul Lambert on deadline day, was the Europa League’s top scorer from the previous season and much was expected of the man drafted in to help ease the goal scoring burden on Christian Benteke.
Kozak has been contracted to Villa for three-and-a-half years but has only made 22 league appearances for the club, scoring four goals. In Kozak’s defence, the 27-year-old front man has suffered a succession of injury problems, including a 15-month lay-off with a broken leg; but with Kodjia, Scott Hogan, Albert Adomah, Jack Grealish and Andre Green – amongst others – all vying for starting berths in Bruce’s attack, it looks like Kozak’s time at Villa Park could be ended come the summer.
Aly Cissokho
Despite making twelve Championship appearances earlier in the season, Aly Cissokho, capped once at international level with France, was shipped out on loan by Bruce to Greek side Olympiakos towards the end of the January transfer window – a clear indication that the Villa boss sees little future for the left back under his tutelage.
Whether Olympiakos opt to permanently purchase Cissokho remains to be seen. However, assuming Bruce can keep hold of the talented Jordan Amavi, and considering that Neil Taylor was signed from Premier League Swansea City in a deal that facilitated Cissokho’s switch to the current Greek champions, it certainly appears that the former Porto, Lyon, Liverpool and Valencia defender is unlikely to feature at Villa Park next season.
Should any of these players have a future at Aston Villa? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
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