It has been a truly miserable 2017 for those of an Aston Villa persuasion, with the club currently on an alarming slide down the table following five Championship defeats in succession.

It was hoped that the 2016/17 campaign would be one to remember for the Villains who were among the favourites for promotion when the bookies released their pre-season odds back in July.

Things haven't worked out, however, and boss Steve Bruce must now look to try and secure enough wins between now and the end of the season to keep the Villains in the Sky Bet Championship.

After signing a glut of players during the January transfer window it was hoped that it would spark a late surge up the table towards the play-off places, although it hasn't quite transpired that way for the former European champions.

Following a miserable run of form, Football League World writer Lee Clarke, looks at two fringe players who need to be offloaded from Villa Park during the summer.

Gary Gardner

After the signings of Henri Lansbury and Conor Hourihane in January the future looks incredibly bleak for Villa academy graduate Gary Gardner.

The youngster has been at his boyhood club for the whole of his career but with first-team chances next season looking restricted, it could be a good time for the central midfielder to move on.

Gardner is a good Championship player and although he could be deemed surplus to requirements at Villa Park, there will still be a second tier club out there for him should he opt to leave.

Micah Richards

The defender was criticised heavily last season during the club's relegation from the Premier League, following a series of poor performances and it is quite remarkable that he still finds himself at Villa Park.

Richards will be on hefty wages and the best thing for all parties in the summer would be for Aston Villa to severe all ties with the 28-year-old performer.

After bursting onto the scene as a youngster at Manchester City, Richards looked set for a bright future but after several years of frustration his career now looks to have stagnated.

Aston Villa fans, would you welcome the departure of these two from the club? Who else should be sold?