Aston Villa boss Dean Smith seems to be proving that he is the man to take his boyhood club back into the Premier League after a tough couple of seasons in the Championship.
Villa are currently sat eighth in the table and will be hoping to close the gap on the top six at the weekend when they take on Stoke City at Villa Park.
Smith's preparations for this one are slightly hampered by the growing injury list at the club, which will be a concern heading into the New Year.
Neil Taylor and Jack Grealish are the latest names to join the treatment room at Villa Park, and it leaves the Villa boss with a potential selection dilemma against Gary Rowett's side this weekend.
It's sure to be a tricky game for Smith's side, with the Potters having the ability to beat any team in the Championship on their day.
So, how can we expect Dean Smith's side to line-up?
Find out here....
Nyland has been a man under pressure this season, but has responded in recent weeks, which will be positive to see.
The shot-stopper has five clean sheets to his name this season and will be hoping to prove himself to Dean Smith before the transfer window reopens in January.
Elmohamady will come in at right-back, a position he is more than comfortable in.
Villa's captain has been one of their most consistent players this season and he is a certain starter.
He has formed an impressive partnership alongside Axel Tuanzebe, and they will be keen to keep the likes of Benik Afobe quiet this weekend.
Tuanzebe has ben hugely impressive for Villa this season and is definitely learning from Smith.
Villa are relatively limited in options in the centre of defence, so it will be no surprise to see the on-loan Manchester United youngster start on Saturday.
Hutton will switch to left-back to cover for Neil Taylor.
It's a position he knows well and he should be able to manage with Tom Ince.
Many questioned whether McGinn would adjust to life in the Championship, but he has certainly silenced those critics.
He has been one of their players of the season and is a regular starter.
Hourihane will be expected to provide the likes of Tammy Abraham with the service he needs in the absence of Jack Grealish.
He has the ability to unlock defences with his impressive creative ability and will be a key player of the festive period.
Whelan will be expected to start in this one.
He offers excellent protection in front of the Aston Villa defence, which could be key in stopping the likes of Ince and Afobe for Stoke.
It also gives McGinn more opportunities to push on further up the pitch and have an impact at the other end.
El Ghazi is starting to show Aston Villa supporters exactly what they have been missing this season.
The winger netted a brace against rivals West Brom last weekend and he will be hoping to build on that impressive run of form by adding to his tally against Rowett's side on Saturday.
Bolasie is slowly starting to improve game by game, which will be encouraging to see for the Villa Park faithful.
If he can recapture the sort of form that saw him first earn a move to Everton then he will be a crucial member of the Villa squad as they hunt for a return to the Premier League this season.
Abraham has been Aston Villa's in form man this season.
The on-loan Chelsea man has 11 league goals to his name and is certainly Villa's most attacking threat this season.
He will be full of confidence heading into this one after recently picking up the Player of the Month award for November.