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Micah Richards and Brad Guzan appear close to leaving Aston Villa as the club look to rebuild following their relegation from the Premier League.

Reports in theTelegraphsuggestthat neither of the pair have convinced new manager Roberto Di Matteo that they are worth keeping at the club following Villa's dismal Premier League showing.

Micah Richards was bought to the club in the summer of 2015 by Tim Sherwood as the club looked to move away from the relegation dogfight they had become accustomed to in recent years.

Prior to the beginning of the season, Richards was announced as the club's on-field captain following his arrival at Villa Park.However, the Premier League champion of 2011-12 was unable to add solidity to a shaky back-line featuring in just 24 league games for the club.

The Villains conceded 76 times over the course of the campaign, as the club finally succumbed to relegation, finishing the season with a measly 17 points.

Richards was targeted on a number of occasions for the club's failures during his time at Villa Park and even confronted supporters as they questioned the players'poor performances.

A potential destination for Richards could be Sunderland, meaning a return to Premier League action for the former Manchester City player.

A reported £5m release clause could be triggered by Sam Allardyce and the Black Cats and that is expected to be enough to secure the player's signature.

Micah Richards was the worst thing to ever happen to our defence. Such an awful defender.

With the club looking to kick-start a new era under the recently appointed Roberto Di Matteo, Brad Guzan is another man who looks set to fall foul of the new regime.

The American shot stopper had become somewhat of a fans favourite during his eight year stint in the Midlands, however, he, like Richards,was targeted by supporters throughout the club's dismal 2015-16 campaign.

How Brad Guzan has stayed Villa's no. 1 for so many seasons I don't know. He's awful

However, as opposed to selling Richards, it appears the club will cut there losses on Guzan and give him up on a free transfer in order to force through his departure.

Guzan may also head north, with Middlesborough interested in the American competing with Victor Valdes for the number one jersey.