According to a report in the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa are willing to listen to offers for Ritchie De Laet this month, with opportunities looking limited for the defender at Villa Park during the second-half of the season.

So far this season Steve Bruce at has preferred the likes of Alan Hutton and Ahmed Elmohamady right-back, whilst James Bree offers a talented alternative for the future.

De Laet, who arrived at Villa Park in the summer of 2016, has struggled for opportunities, particularly this season, with the 29-year-old featuring on just nine occasions across all competitions, including in just one Sky Bet Championship starting XI.

Bruce has overlooked the Belgian in his last three Championship squads, and it is understood that Villa are open to De Laet leaving either permanently or on-loan this month.

Villa have used a settled group of players over the course of the season, which is working for Bruce, with his side well in the hunt for promotion at an early stage of 2018.

The Villans currently sit fourth in the Championship table, after an impressive run of three consecutive victories helped the club put a disappointing December behind them.

Villa are back in action this weekend, with Bruce’s side welcoming Barnsley to Villa Park.

The Verdict

De Laet is nowhere near Villa’s starting XI at the current time, with a number of options ahead of him in Bruce’s thought processes.

Villa’s transfer budget is tight and you get the feeling if a decent permanent offer comes in for De Laet, it is one that Bruce would be happy to accept.

There is every chance that De Laet could be a late mover in the transfer window.

Aston Villa fans… Let us know your thoughts!

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