Aston Villa and Antwerp in talks over Ritchie De Laet loan

The two clubs are in discussions over a deal which would see the 29-year-old head to the Belgian Pro League for the rest of the season.

For De Laet, it would be a return to the club where he made his professional debut and offer the chance to get some much-needed playing time.

The former Leicester man has found himself well down the pecking order at Villa Park, having missed almost all of last season with a serious knee injury.

De Laet has been limited to just one Championship start, which came back in August when Steve Bruce’s men were beaten 2-1 at Reading.

Bruce admitted last week De Laet was one of several squad players who would benefit from going out on loan, though the Villa boss also expressed frustration with a system which means any who leave will be gone for the season.

“We’re in this horrible situation where he needs games. The best thing would be to go and play for a month and then come back," he said.

“He just need games and game-management. Unfortunately we can’t give him it.

“The U23s, he gets nothing from. So, for me, the loan system should allow us to loan our players and let them go and play for another club for six or eight weeks even.”