There are plenty of Aston Villa supporters that thought this season in the Championship might have been easier than it has actually turned out to be.

With Roberto Di Matteo already gone from the Villa Park helm, attention now turns to the search for the next manager to take the team forward.

It's going to be a job for whoever takes over though - Villa are a team struggling for form and who cannot seem to get the best out of their players.

Summer signings aren't gelling as expected but there are some that still have that little bit of optimism needed to do well.

And we agree, whichever way you look at it, Villa seem to have enough to suggest they might still sneak into the play-offs.

So with that in mind, here's THREE reasons why Aston Villa will still get into the top-six come the end of the season....

Their players have proven quality

You can look at the form table, points earned and even current performances on the pitch but when you look at Villa's squad list, they have bags and bags of quality and experience in their ranks.

They have former Premier League stars in Mile Jedinak, James Chester and Alan Hutton in their ranks, with a whole host of players with European top-flight experience too.

These players aren't at the club for no other reason than to get them promoted and to retain their Premier League status once again.

They weren't signed for no reason and if there was faith at the start of the season then there will still be some faith left now.

Leeds United have turned things around fantastically in the past couple of weeks and Villa could too, if they pick up a couple of wins.

Their fans could help them through

If we've seen anything this season it's that Villa fans are out in force to follow their side.

They're an expectant bunch of course, but they've travelled well to support their side, with the away game at Preston proof of that.

Over 5,500 Villa fans made the trip up to Lancashire and yes they were restless at times but if they continue selling out away grounds they can have a say in this race for promotion.

If they find the right manager

Finding the next manager to take the club forward is massive and could single-handedly be the reason they stay in the Championship or return to the Premier League.

Four managers in a year is chaotic stuff and this next appointment really does need to be for the long-term. Whether it's David Wagner, Steve Bruce, Lee Johnson or Ace Ventura, they need to get it right- a man that's going to get the side fired up and the players connecting.

Get that decision spot on and things could begin to turn in their favour.