---
title: "Sunderland ready to offer lifeline to Micah Richards"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2016/07/20/sunderland-ready-to-offer-lifeline-to-micah-richards/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Matt Lynch"
section: "Aston Villa Transfer News"
published: "2016-07-20T07:19:21Z"
modified: "2016-07-20T07:19:21Z"
---

# Sunderland ready to offer lifeline to Micah Richards

Aston Villa defender Micah Richards could be offered a Premier League lifeline with Sunderland eyeing up a move for the former England international.

The [Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/07/19/aston-villa-to-give-brad-guzan-a-free-transfer-to-speed-up-middl/) report how Richards has a £5 million release clause that the Black Cats are set to active with Allardyce’s talks with the English FA delaying the move.

Richards, who only joined the Midlands side last summer from Manchester City on a free, had a mixed season in the heart of Villa’s defence, but could well jump ship for another bite at the Premier League cherry at the Stadium of Light.

![Stu Forster/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2016/07/166826998.jpg)

The 28 year old played a big part in Villa’s relegation including being in the sides that lost to Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal all by a four goal margin and Liverpool 6-0.

He appeared 28 times last season in a claret and blue shirt, scoring twice. Richards was often a scapegoat for the Villa faithful throughout the season.

> Twitter: Micah Richards to Sunderland? Please! I like Sunderland – good fans. If this happens, I feel for them. But I’ll also celebrate wildly. #AVFC (@chrisxblast)

> Twitter: Praying for Micah Richards to go to Sunderland. #PleaseGod (@molotov\_bomb)