Aston Villa's season has not gone according to plan, although given the uncertainty of the summer it is hardly surprising.

The upheaval certainly wasn't conducive to a good start and Steve Bruce paid the price with his job. Dean Smith came in and as yet, hasn't been able to find the rhythm that makes them promotion hopefuls.

They're perhaps not too far adrift to mount a late challenge, but two local derby matches and three more against play-off chasing sides will decide their season.

The very real danger is that when May comes around, Aston Villa are outside the top six and confined to another campaign in the Championship. If that happens, key players are likely to be sold to balance the books.

One highly saleable asset has to be Jack Grealish. The attacker has been out of the side for much of the season with injury, but after being targeted by Spurs in the summer, he's sure to fall on the radar of big clubs once more.

If Villa don't go up, he could well go and in that eventuality, we've got three players we feel would make more than adequate replacements.

Callum O'Dowda

Working on the assumption that some of the Grealish money would be available to spend, Villa should be shopping in the Championship and nowhere else. If they want a quality replacement that have to get someone who knows the division.

O'Dowda would be perfect. He's in great form for Bristol City and is right in the thick of their promotion challenge. If they don't go up, though, he could be available for the right price.

Ollie Watkins

The Brentford forward hasn't been great in recent weeks and he wouldn't be an exact like for like replacement.

However, he would cost perhaps half of the Grealish fee and could cover the hole behind the main striker, which is one of Grealish's roles at the club. He's known to Dean Smith too and would represent an investment as well as being a key player.

Ebere Eze

Eze is impressing at QPR, but given their financial situation they might have to cash in themselves this summer. He's not likely to get a big money move, he's been inconsistent and has only shown up in patches, but he's a talented boy.

Villa should make him a serious target if Grealish leaves. He's quick, can play wide as well as centrally and offers the same sort of flair in attack as Grealish.