A section of Aston Villa fans have taken to social media to express their frustration after defender Ritchie De Laet confirmed his surprise departure to Australia on his personal Twitter account.
The 6ft 1in [Transfermarkt] defender confirmed that he had left Villa in order to join Melbourne City, and has expressed his excitement at the new challenge that awaits him Down Under by remarking “just want to get out on the pitch and start playing.”
https://twitter.com/de_laet_r/status/1040533055331397632
Many supporters have taken to Twitter to express that they were fuming that the 29-year-old had left the Championship club, remarking how he was never given a fair chance to prove himself.
These comments included “never given a fair chance at Villa” and “absolute travesty.”
This is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
All the best. Every fan I know can not believe Bruce has not played you and loaned you out, but unfortunately a lot of fans are at fault for backing our joke of a manager.
— Christopher UTV ? (@christhevillan) September 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/BritishBuIIdog/status/1040548840997306368
Good luck fella, hopefully once Bruce has gone you’ll be given a chance at Villa.
— Simon Browne ???????????????? (@avfcbrummie) September 14, 2018
Harsh treatment on you!! Good luck ? utv
— adrian (@AdahortonAdrian) September 14, 2018
Good luck @de_laet_r sorry you couldn’t get a better chance to show what you can do at #avfc you will be great in that league
— David Williams (@d4vidwilliams) September 14, 2018
Good luck Ritchie. Come back to Villa once Bruce has been sacked ??
— Neil H (@Neilh111) September 14, 2018
absolute travesty they’ve loaned you out again,absolutely smashed it preseason and this is your reward ??????? Good Luck mate ??
— Simon, Lord Lawson (@SimonJLawson) September 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/Ajnichols144/status/1040547906841927681
OPINION
It is hard not to agree with the fans when they express the fact that De Laet has been hard done by in regards to this transfer. Having performed well in pre-season, he should have been in line to remain at Villa Park, so this move will come as a surprise to many. They feel that boss Steve Bruce does not give him enough credit, and that he was never given a fair chance to prove himself. The fans are right – he did not make any Championship appearances for Villa this season, and was only reward with two outings in the League Cup. Hopefully he can get some vital game experience under his belt at Melbourne, as he was obviously not going to get that at Villa any time soon. The supporters are right to feel aggrieved by his departure – as he was certainly capable of thriving at the club if he was given the chance.