It has been a hit and miss start to the Championship season for Roberto Di Matteo and his Aston Villa side, with the club earning just 6 points from their first six matches in the division since their relegation from the Premier League.
Expectations were high coming into this campaign as the Villa supporters looked at the club to make an immediate return to the top flight of English football, after last season's embarrassing shambles of a campaign.
The fact that new owner Tony Xia not only appointed former Champions League-winning manager Di Matteo but then gave him the freedom to spend in excess of £50 million on new players, meant the demand for automatic promotion was present from the very start but unfortunately things have no started in the best way possible.
Football League World writer Steve Day picks out THREE things that Di Matteo is getting right at Aston Villa this season even though the club's start to the season could have been better......
Getting rid of the deadwood
One of the big problems of last season was the apathetic attitude that the fans felt a number of players had regarding their playing time at Villa Park.
Certain players were heavily criticised by fans and pundits alike, for their abject and gutless performances as the club slid out of the Premier League.
The main target for criticism was Joleon Lescott who repeatedly did not help his cause by tweeting about flash cars after heavy defeats.
It was no surprise that he was one of the names Di Matteo chose to sell during the summer transfer window.
In total, Di Matteo got rid of 11 players with high earners such as Kieran Richardson, Charles N'Zogbia, Jose Angel Crespo, Brad Guzan, Idrissa Gueye, Scott Sinclair, and Jores Okore.
A number of players that might have been deemed to do a capable job at Championship level were also released such as Joe Bennett and Ciaran Clark, but the amount of deadwood released from the payroll has helped to put the club in a far more solid position financially and in the dressing room.
Creating positive club atmosphere
There is no doubt that the atmosphere at Villa Park last season was toxic as the fans lost faith in a team, that showed no self belief or willingness to turn the club's fortunes around on the pitch.
The added issue that it seemed there was no connection between the players, and fans meant things started to get vitriolic before the ownership takeover.
The appointment of Di Matteo by Xia was a stroke of genius because one of Di Matteo's strengths is man management and creating a positive spirit.
It was a key factor when he took over as Chelsea manager when they went on to win the Champions League back in 2012.
Di Matteo might not have got results so far but there is now an aura of optimism around Villa Park.
The club might only be in 18th place but a victory against Brentford could well see the team leap to mid-table and 3 points outside the play-off places.
Then promotion would very much be on the tongues of Villa fans.
Making Grealish the main man
Controversial yet talented attacking midfielder Jack Grealish has had his ups and his downs during his young career already, but last season saw him fall out of favour with the creative wide man only making 12 starts and 7 sub appearances.
Di Matteo has looked to bring Grealish back to the fore and that decision is already reaping rewards.
Even though the expectation was on the attacking trio of Rudy Gestede, Ross McCormack, and Jonathan Kodjia it has been Grealish that has been on fire in front of goal.
There is no denying the potential ability the 21-year-old possesses and it seems that Di Matteo is looking to harness that talent, in an effort to bring the best out of the youngster and help take Aston Villa back to the big time.
If things continue like this for Grealish then this could be a big season for the Solihull-born player.
What do you think? Are there any other factors that Di Matteo has got right during his first few months as Villa manager? Let us know in the comments section below!