With Roberto Di Matteo at the helm, there is a great deal of optimism flowing around Villa Park as we prepare for the forthcoming 16/17 campaign.
However let's be honest, it couldn't really get any worse for the Villains, after a quite frankly dismal season last term, just 3 league wins left Villa fans gasping for any sort of pride or desire.
But after the departure of Tim Sherwood and Remi Garde, in has come the former Champions League winning manager Di Matteo, who will be looking to demonstrate his high standard managerial expertise, in Villa's surge for promotion to the top flight at the first time of asking this time around.
And with the additions of Aaron Tshibola and Tommy Elphick to name a couple of new recruits, it seems that the Villians are only going one way, and that's up.
However, the Championship can be a very harsh, gruelling environment, and Villa will need a large amount of squad depth, which mainly consists of the players who produced many lacklustre performances in Villa's demise last year.
And as price tags get higher and clubs get richer, here, FLW writer George Harbey identifies 4 players that Villa should definitely look to add to their ranks, as hard as it may be.
Jonathan Kodjia
The Ivorian is no stranger to Villa Park, having been subject to serious interest throughout the summer, with very heavy links surrounding him and Villa.
After a remarkable debut season in England last term, netting 19 times in 45 games in Bristol City's Championship campaign, the 26 year old has already displayed natural goalscoring instincts, something that was heavily lacking for Villa last season.
However, in what looks to be a very promising season for Lee Johnson's campaign, who has bolstered their squad massively with the signings of Lee Tomlin, Callum O'Dowda and Gary O'Neil to name a few, it seems as if Kodjia is as settled as he ever has been at Ashton Gate.
And with numerous bids turned down, it's hard to see the striker's destination nowhere else but in the West Country next term.
Yacine Bammou
If Kodjia were to stay at Ashton Gate, then their other primary target Yacine Bammou would be a fantastic candidate to lead the front line.
The 6 foot 2 man has been heavily linked with a move to England, with Villa and West Midlands counterparts Wolves reportedly interested in the Nantes forward, however looks destined for a move to Garry Monk's Leeds United.
Bammou is a physical player, and a similar sort of player to Rudy Gestede, who endured a poor campaign last term, who is naturally very good in the air possessing good jumping and heading ability.
He could form an extremely physically strong partnership up front with Gestede, or be complimented by the antithesis of him, therefore it is understandable that Monk is interested in the Moroccan striker, with the smaller, sharper signing from Oxford, Kemar Roofe alongside him.
Bammou has endured a tough time in France, and it looks inevitable that he will depart, however the Villa board may need to delve into their back pockets if they want to land the striker.
Barry Bannan
Bannan is no stranger to Villa Park, having been at the club for 5 years, after being in the youth system since 2004, making just 61 appearances for the Villains.
The midfield maestro, however, has gone on to be a key player for Carlos Carvalhal's Sheffield Wednesday, and was named in the Championship Team of the Year last term, in a campaign that saw the Owls come agonisingly close to promotion via the play-offs.
But the Carvalhal revolution hasn't shut up shop just yet, and what is looking to be a very promising season again for the Owls, Bannan is set to be at the heart of all good things for Wednesday, just like last year.
With Idrissa Gueye reportedly having a medical at Everton, and Ashley Westwood still subject to serious interest from Burnley, Bannan would be a perfect candidate to shore up Di Matteo's midfield.
However unlikely this move may seem, it would still be a tremendous coup for the Villains.
Ché Adams
After nearly two very impressive years at Bramall Lane, the 20-year old is looking likely to be the catalyst of the Blades' successes under Chris Wilder this campaign.
After signing from non-league outfit Ilkeston Town, Adams made an immediate impact at Bramall Lane, netting twice in quick succession against Tottenham in the Capital One Cup semi-final in 2015, after coming on as a substitute.
And his career has been on the ascent ever since, the attacking midfielder who can also operate as a winger, terrorises defences with his blistering pace and power, and has found himself on the end of some serious interest from other high profile clubs in higher tiers.
One of those being Villa's arch rivals Birmingham City, whose pursuit to lure the forward to St. Andrews doesn't seem to be going away, having had a second bid recently rejected, and are now preparing to bid for a third time.
It looks as if Adams is very much so part of Wilder's plans, as the Blades look to romp to promotion this time around, but the young man would be a magnificent acquisition for Di Matteo, who heavily lacked the firepower when going forward last term.
So...what do you think Villa fans? Would you agree with these four players? Has Roberto Di Matteo done enough in the transfer window thus far to take Villa back to the top? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!!