Aston Villa are in the mix for automatic promotion this season, with Steve Bruce’s side just three points away from second-placed Derby County with just eighteen games remaining.

The club have begun to put together a solid run of form, and with key men set to return in the coming weeks, including former England and Chelsea captain John Terry, Bruce will be confident that his side possesses enough quality to get the job done this year.

Funds are limited in the current transfer window, with Bruce likely to rely upon several loan additions due to Financial Fair Play restrictions, but there could be news of an outgoing at Villa Park in the coming days, with Bruce admitting to The Birmingham Mail that he was open to defender Ritchie De Laet departing Villa Park.

The 29-year-old has made just one league start this season, and is likely to take on a new challenge this month.

The Verdict

De Laet enjoyed a solid spell with Leicester City as well as working hard to graduate from the Manchester United academy, but it appears that his time at Villa Park is coming to an end.

Bruce has cover at full-back in Alan Hutton and Ahmed Elmohamady, and unless the pair suffer injuries between now and the end of the season, De Laet will be nowhere near the first-team.

The time has come for the player to move on and continue his career elsewhere.

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