Aston Villa were denied a second victory of the campaign last night when a late Sam Winnall goal saw Barnsley claim a point from their Sky Bet Championship encounter.
The 1-1 draw was the Villains’ seventh share of the spoils this season and new boss Roberto Di Matteo is under serious pressure to turn the team’s fortunes around, with promotion the board’s aim for this campaign.
After plunging close to £50 million on new recruits during the summer, the Italian boss is under massive pressure to start collecting some wins, with the club in danger of being cast adrift from the play-off places.
With such an outlay spent on new players it looks natural that some of the lesser members of the squad might move on during the January transfer window.
Football League World writer Lee Clarke takes a look at three players who Aston Villa must wave goodbye to during the next transfer window.
Gary Gardner
The Aston Villa academy product has been given a fair crack of the whip when it comes to first-team football this season, yet his performances have not been up to the required standard.
Gardner was mightily impressive during a couple of loan spells with Nottingham Forest but he is falling down the pecking order at Villa Park, with the 24-year-old failing to make the squad for the last two games.
The central midfielder is of the required quality to play for someone in the Championship but with Villa boasting several midfield options it could be wise for Gardner to continue his career elsewhere.
Micah Richards
The Premier League winning right-back is not in favour with the Aston Villa management and his future looks to be away from Villa Park.
Richards was the club’s captain during their relegation campaign last season and it appears that some fans were less than impressed with his frail performances during 2015/16.
Roberto Di Matteo spent the summer rebuilding his defensive unit and it doesn’t appear that Richards is a part of the club moving forward.
Richards was once viewed as one of the most highly-rated defenders in the country yet at present he can’t get a game for a club who are sitting in the bottom half of the second tier.
Gabriel Agbonlahor
The Aston Villa academy product has made over 300 appearances for the Villains in the Premier League but his career at his boyhood club does look to be over.
The 29-year-old has been in the press for all the wrong reasons over the past year and he desperately needs a move away from Villa Park if he is to revive his flailing football career.
The former England international has netted 73 goals for Aston Villa throughout his career and a move could help the forward get back on track.
Aston Villa fans, would you be happy to see the back of these three? Who else should be bid a fond farewell to? Let us know in the comments below!!!