Finally, after a difficult 12 months in the Sky Bet Championship, Aston Villa appear in good shape, with Steve Bruce’s side looking like an outfit ready to push for a Premier League return, after a miserable year outside the top-flight.
Bruce has moulded an exceptional squad at Villa Park, which has the perfect mix of experienced players, like John Terry and Mile Jedinak, along with some exciting youngster, such as Keinan Davis, Jack Grealish and Andre Green.
Heading into November’s international break Villa are sitting sixth, well placed to cement their place in the top-six heading into the January transfer window.
Bruce will want to tinker with his squad in the New Year as he shapes them up for a promotion push, but with it well known that Villa are battling against Financial Fair Play, the likelihood is there has to be exits before Bruce can make any additions.
With that in mind, we take a look at THREE players owner, Dr Tony Xia, should look to cut from the wage bill…
Tommy Elphick
Elphick was signed last summer, with many expecting the former AFC Bournemouth man to be leading Villa back to the Premier League.
However, the defender has endured a miserable spell at Villa Park, and following the arrival of John Terry and Chris Samba in the summer, Elphick is well down the pecking order.
Bruce is unlikely to use Elphick, who is collecting a wage for not doing much at Villa Park.
Micah Richards
Like Elphick, Richards is well out of the picture at Villa Park, with Bruce reluctant to use the former England defender.
Richards will be picking up a huge wage at Villa Park, having arrived during their Premier League days, and with the 29-year-old not anywhere near Bruce’s first-team, Villa are wasting money continuing to pay him a wage.
Gabby Agbonlahor
Agbonlahor has been an incredible servant for Aston Villa, but he is no longer good enough to earn a place in the first-team at Villa Park.
The striker’s relationship with the supporters has soured, and Jonathan Kodjia and Scott Hogan are now the club’s leading senior strikers.
Adding Keinan Davis to that list, Agbonlahor is way out of the picture and a player Villa need to seriously consider shipping out.