Micah Richards finally set to be released by Aston Villa after failing to play in nearly two years
The 30-year-old former Manchester City and Fiorentina star last featured in October 2016 when Villa drew 1-1 with Wolves and has collected an estimated £3.3million since
MICAH RICHARDS is set to be released by Aston Villa after 665 days without playing.
The 30-year-old former Manchester City and Fiorentina star last featured in October 2016 when Villa drew 1-1 with Wolves.
Richards played 65 minutes of the Championship clash and was last in the club's squad in September 2017, when he was an unused substitute for Villa in their 2-0 defeat to Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup.
The club have played over 100 games — including friendlies — since he last set foot on the turf in claret and blue.
He remains on a £35,000-a-week contract, meaning he has been paid £3.3million since he last played and is still one of Villa's highest earners.
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But injuries look to have put paid to Richards' chances of playing and helping try to get the Midlands club back into the Premier League.
According to the , Ross McCormack is another player set to follow Richards out of the door.
McCormack's infamous bust-up with Bruce 18 months ago has put paid to his hopes of playing for Villa again, but he was given the chance to prove himself at the start of last season.
Richards' contract is up at the end of this term, but Bruce has asked the club's owners to look into ways of ending their deals early and free up some cash.
Neither player was named in the club's squad list for the Championship season.
And Jack Grealish is set to be offered a new contract at the club as he aims to fire them into the Premier League.
The club are also reportedly looking into a loan deal for Real Madrid starlet Martin Odegaard.
