It’s an unusual concept for fans to understand that footballers are unwilling to play for any club, never mind theirs, and never mind one as big as Aston Villa. But it happens. And it’s a shame to see.
There are a couple of players in the current Villa team who really look like they’ve given up on the team already, and it’s Dean Smith’s job to now weed them out.
Despite the form being a little more positive in recent weeks, the Midlands side have undoubtedly been underachieving this year and there’s no excuse for the kind of effort (or lack of) fans have had to endure on matchday.
Regardless, they’ll happy to see the back of these individuals…
Henri Lansbury
Lansbury has struggled under Dean Smith and finds himself, more often than not, on the periphery of the first-team.
It’s a shame really. Before signing for Aston Villa Lansbury captained Nottingham Forest, and has always been known as one of the strongest players in the Championship. But his career is now stagnating in the claret and blue of Villa, and there’s no doubt in our mind that he’ll be keen get his career back on track.
We reckon he’ll be one of those knocking on Smith’s door at some point next year to discuss his future.
Micah Richards
We’re not entirely sure what has happened to Micah Richards other than the fact that his career has taken a huge dive since leaving Manchester City.
After being frozen out from the squad by ex-Villa boss Steve Bruce, the defender has done a marvellous job of sitting back, hiding from his duties, taking his wages (a reported 60k a week deal) and avoiding scrutiny from fans.
Indeed, the question at hand (if he’s begging for a 2019 exit, or not) really revolves around whether he actually has any intention of playing football ever again. Which looks unlikely at the moment.
Should he get the urge to actually do his job we’re sure the club are just as keen to get rid of the player as he is to leave, so you never know…
