Aston Villa, after a slow start to the season, have dramatically improved under the guidance of Steve Bruce and the Midlands side have battled away from the relegation zone and towards a potential play-off spot.

Now sat just three points off the top-six, the next few months will be crucial for Villa and the right sort of deals in January could be the difference as to whether the club earns an immediate return to the Premier League, or spends further years away from the top-flight.

With a side brimming with talent, Villa need to adjust their squad significantly and trim the numbers in certain positions down a little - especially in attack, an area Steve Bruce has already stated the club are over-equipped in.

Offloading players in January will help free funds to aid Bruce in improving other areas of the squad, which will be vital in Villa's charge in the second-half of the season.

Ross McCormack

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Arriving for £12m in the summer, Ross McCormack has failed to settle at Aston Villa and now faces a major battle to prove himself to Steve Bruce.

Given the fact that Villa have been heavily linked with Abel Hernandez, it's fair to assume the Scottish international's time is up.

With Villa adopting a formation that utilises just one striker for the majority of the campaign so far, McCormack needs nothing short of a miracle to settle into the first-team and time is quickly running out for him.

At 30-years-old, McCormack should be in the prime years of his career and he cannot afford to be sitting on the bench every week, which means he should push for a sale in January.

Rudy Gestede

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Another striker who Villa should offload, Rudy Gestede has proven to be a useful asset for the club this season but he's not the best there is.

With rumours indicating Hull City are keen on the forward and could even offer Abel Hernandez in a deal, Villa should jump at the chance.

The 28-year-old has managed just four goals in 14 appearances this term, hardly a great return, and only made one appearance during November.

With Bruce set to rejig his squad in the New Year, it's likely there will no longer be a place for Gestede in the side.