Aston Villa will embark on Sky Bet Championship football next season after a truly woeful time of things in the Premier League this season.

Tim Sherwood was sacked early on in the season and replaced by Frenchman Remi Garde whose style of play was nothing short of horrendous, with the ex-Arsenal man also sent packing in April.

Villa are now looking for a replacement for Garde and whoever comes in will be charged with rebuilding an ordinary looking squad, in order to challenge for an immediate promotion back into the top flight.

Money may be tight at Villa Park and the new boss, whoever it may be, could be forced to look towards the younger players at the club to take the club forward.

Football League World writer Lee Clarke takes a look at THREE players who have graduated from the Aston Villa first-team, who could be utilised during the 2016/17 campaign.....

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE THREE ACADEMY STARS!

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Gary Gardner

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The central midfielder has recently returned from a second successful loan spell at Nottingham Forest and his form at the City Ground could finally hand Gardner a chance to impress Villa.

Having made his debut in 2011 for the Villains, Gardner struggled to 16 appearances for his boyhood club and has been packed off on loan on several occasions.

With Villa now a Sky Bet Championship club the door could be thrown back open for Gardner to finally stamp his authority on the first-team at Villa Park.

A solid all-round midfield player, Gardner is comfortable breaking up play in a defensive role, or driving forward and chipping in with goals.

Jordan Lyden

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The all-action Australian midfielder has made three appearances for the Villa first-team this season and like Gardner he looks to a bright midfield prospect, currently on the books at Villa Park.

He made his debut earlier in the season against Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup and his outings have suggested he has the energy to be a success in the Championship.

The 20-year-old has two caps for the Australia U-20 side and has been at Aston Villa for close to four years, impressing for the youth team before getting a chance with the senior side.

Callum Robinson

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The Northampton-born striker has spent this season out on loan at Preston North End and has netted two goals in six games for the Lilywhites.

With Villa about to embark on Sky Bet Championship football for the first time in the modern era, Robinson could be handed the opportunity to add to his four previous appearances in the first-team.

Robinson has previously played in League One with Preston and Bristol City so knows exactly what the Football League is all about.

The striker has also played for England Under-20’s and possesses good pace and finishing attributes.