A hydraulic fluid de-aeration device for a hydraulically actuated variable valve actuation system is provided. The device includes a de-aeration bridge having a first end and a second end. The device includes a conical de-aeration chamber having an outer wall and a generally vertical center axis. The second end of the de-aeration bridge is offset from the center axis of the de-aeration chamber such that hydraulic fluid flowing from the de-aeration bridge is directed towards the outer wall of the de-aeration chamber. The device includes a cover with a vent hole for air that is expelled from the hydraulic fluid. A passage connected to the de-aeration chamber supplies the hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic fluid gallery of the variable valve actuation system.