Aston Villa release eight players as contracts come to an end

Farewell to Mark Bunn, Alan Hutton, Tommy Elphick, Mile Jedinak, Micah Richards, Ritchie De Laet, Glenn Whelan and Albert Adomah, whose efforts this season pushed Villa to promotion.

In not-completely-surprising news: Aston Villa Football Club announced Saturday the intended release of eight players whose contracts all end this month. The individuals above served the club with distinction over several years.

Mark Bunn

The veteran reserve goalkeeper always filled-in well when called upon. Bunn’s four-year stay at Villa Park produced 21 appearances across all competitions. At 34, I’m sure Bunn will find work again in England’s first or second division.

Alan Hutton

Villa through and through. Hutton’s redemption story is now complete after seeing out both Villa’s relegation and promotion campaigns. Hutton’s eight-year run produced 198 appearances across all competitions and three goals, none better than that memorable solo run vs. Blues.

Farewell, Scottish Cafu.

Tommy Elphick

The model football professional. Tommy Elphick joined Villa at its worse, was sent away on loan twice, and still came back to push the club up the table in 2019.

Elphick departs the Villa with 46 appearances and one goal.

Mile Jedinak

Villa made, perhaps, no better value signing than Mile Jedinak three years ago. The former Socceroos and Crystal Palace skipper was an integral part of the team as a mountainous defensive midfielder.

It was night and day when Jedi was in the lineup vs. when Jedi wasn’t in the lineup back then. His final kick in a Villa shirt helped push the club over West Bromwich Albion during penalty kicks. A healthy Jedinak still has another year or two playing at a good level, I suspect. Jedinak scored twice in 66 claret and blue appearances.

Micah Richards

I’ve seen some putrid Micah Richards takes on the internet recently. Villa gave him a four-year deal, he was bad, then he was injured. That’s the story. The constant knee problems forced Richards into retirement.

Ritchie De Laet

The always forthcoming Ritchie De Laet, and his kindness on Twitter, will be missed. I contend to this day that had De Laet not ruptured knee ligaments so early in the 2016/2017 season, Villa would have been much better that year.

Glenn Whelan

Steve Bruce acquiring Glenn Whelan on a two-year deal ended up being an extremely shrewd piece of business. The Irishman was brought in to provide cover and competition for a promotion-winning side. Ultimately, he did that and much, much more. His two-year run saw Whelan make 73 appearances, scoring twice.

Thanks, Whelo!

Albert Adomah

Uncle Al leaves Villa after the club opted against triggering a fourth-year option on the original four-year deal he signed back in summer 2016. Adomah scored 22 times in 125 appearances from the wing position. 125 appearances over three years says it all, really; he was a massive, massive player for the club in its fight back to the top flight.