Micah Richards is leaving promoted Aston Villa after four years with the club.

The former England international arrived at Villa Park in 2015 after signing on a free transfer from boyhood club Manchester City.

Richards would go on to make 31 appearances, though he has not featured for the club in two years - a 1-1 draw in the Championship against Wolves.

As Villa sealed their promotion back to the Premier League after beating Derby 2-1 in the Play-Offs, they have marked their return by releasing eight players.

Alongside ex-City defender Richards, former Prem stars Mile Jedinak, Alan Hutton, Tommy Elphick, Albert Adomah, Glenn Whelan, Ritchie De Laet, and Mark Bunn also find themselves axed.

In January it was reported Richards was planning a retirement at aged 30 after after failing to recover from long-term knee injuries.