This figure is why there will be a mass exodus from Villa
According to the Birmingham Mail, Villa are set for a major clear out this summer, with as many as 10 players potentially leaving during the transfer window.
It comes as Keith Wyness, Villa’s chief executive, has revealed that Villa have 64 players on professional contracts. This astonishing figure includes the 33 first team squad players found on the club’s website (although Kozak and Sanchez have already been moved on) along with players in the under-18s and under-23 age groups.
Efforts are being made to get rid of Veretout, Cissokho, and Gil as their respective loan arrangements will soon end. Furthermore, Villa will also listen to offers for Tshibola, McCormack, Richards and Elphick after they struggled to make their mark last season.
Villa’s fringe players are already attracting attention and European clubs continue to monitor Amavi’s situation at Villa Park.
The money that Villa are able to generate from sales this summer will be added to Bruce’s transfer funds as he looks for three to four new arrivals to improve Villa’s chance of gaining promotion to the Premier League.
Wyness hinted that there might be some surprise departures in the summer, but stressed that Villa would not be selling anyone against Bruce’s wishes.