Dunne among Villa player departures

Republic of Ireland international Dunne, United States defender Lichaj and goalkeeper Marshall are all at the end of their contracts and have been released.

Makoun, who spent last season on loan at Ligue 1 side Rennes, will join the French club after they took up the option to buy him.

Dawkins, who has been on loan at Villa Park since January from Tottenham, will return to his parent club.

Meanwhile, the contracts of Graham Burke, Derrick Williams, Michael Drennan, Samir Carruthers and Daniel Johnson are set to expire but all five of the Young Lions have been offered extensions.

Dunne, 33, did not play for Villa boss Paul Lambert last season due to injury and ended a year of misery by coming on for the final 25 minutes of Sunday's 4-0 international friendly victory over Georgia - his first action since June last year.

The defender, who signed for Villa in 2009 from Manchester City, was hoping to use the end-of-season games with the Republic as a shop window in an attempt to find a new club, but he now appears to have lost his bid to start Friday's World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands.

However, Celtic boss Neil Lennon has already shown an interest in bringing the experienced defender to Parkhead, although he admitted his age could count against him.

Lennon told the Daily Record: "We have made no formal or informal movements as yet. Richard has had injury problems and hasn't played for a long time, so I don't know what kind of condition he is in.

"And the way we have been signing players over the years, he would fall out of that category, but he is a player I have known a long time and have always liked. We have also signed guys like Daniel Majstorovic before and it is always good to have one or two experienced players in."

Source: PA

Source: PA