Forgotten man Ritchie De Laet could play important role for Aston Villa

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When Aston Villa snapped up Premier League winner Ritchie De Laet from Leicester City in the summer of 2016 it looked a great deal. He arrived after a season in which he won both the Premier League with Leicester City and promotion with Middlesbrough whilst on loan.

Considering he had also won promotion with Leicester in 2014, he looked a perfect addition for Aston Villa at just £2.5 million.

However, De Laet struggled. He played just three times in his first season at the club before picking up a knee injury against Brentford. He was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the campaign.

Last season he featured sporadically through the first-half of the season but in January was sent out on loan to his boyhood club Royal Antwerp until the end of the season.

That deal proved to be unsuccessful as well. The Belgian side decided not to bring in De Laet permanently after a struggle of a loan campaign which eventually saw him dropped.

But Aston Villa should embrace the fact the 29-year-old is back. Considering they need to sell highly-marketable players this summer, keeping De Laet on board would be wise.

He can play at left-back, right-back and on the wing. Add to that his excellent experience of winning promotion and Aston Villa need to keep him on board.                                                                                                                    

De Laet could be like a new signing for Aston Villa.