Micah Richards is finally set to be released by Aston Villa after failing to play a single game for the club in almost TWO years, according to The Sun.

Manager Steve Bruce has asked the club to free up funds by reaching an agreement with the 30-year-old defender, who is still taking home £35,000 per week on a deal that runs until June 2019.

He last featured for the Villains in a 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on October 15, 2016, managing only 65 minutes before suffering a serious knee injury that has seemingly kept him out of contention ever since.

Micah Richards is set to be released by Aston Villa after failing to play a game since 2016

MICAH RICHARDS - A STALLED CAREER 2005–2015: Manchester City Appearances: 245 Goals: 9 2014–2015: Fiorentina (loan) Appearances: 19 Goals: 0 2015–Present: Aston Villa Appearances: 31 Goals: 2 International England caps: 13 Goals: 1 Last appearance: Feb 29, 2012 (lost 2-3 vs Holland) Advertisement

It was the latest in a long line of significant injuries suffered by the 13-time England international, who saw his career at first club Manchester City stall due to fitness problems.

Many of his injuries can be traced back to a single incident in October 2012, when he tore cartilage in his knee and ultimately required surgery.

He spent six months getting fit but found himself replaced at big-spending City by the time he was ready to return.

A loan spell with Serie A club Fiorentina for the 2014-15 season failed to rejuvenate his career before he brought his long association with the Citizens to an end by joining Aston Villa.

But he has managed just 31 appearances for Villa since signing three summers ago with Bruce attributing a consistent lack of fitness for his continued absence from the squad.

The 30-year-old defender has been struggling for form and fitness since joining Villa in 2015

Richards was last seen in the Aston Villa squad in September 2017, when he was an unused substitute in their 2-0 defeat by Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup, but he is now surplus to requirements.

He remains one of Villa's highest earners and has taken home £3.3million in wages since his last appearance. That is tying up vital funds that Bruce wishes to redistribute elsewhere.

The club are keen to tie star player Jack Grealish down to a new contract while they have also been linked with a loan move for Real Madrid's Martin Odegaard, but must first free up funds from elsewhere.

Ross McCormack is another player set for an inglorious exit with his infamous bust-up with Bruce 18 months ago finally bringing an end to his time at Villa Park.