Aston Villa look to be back on track after securing a crucial 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers on Friday night.

It's now two wins in four games for Dean Smith after goals from Jack Grealish and James Chester secured only Villa's fifth win of the season, and they are now up to 14th in the table as they look to mount a promotion push.

There's no doubt that promotion is the aim for Villa this season - after reaching the playoff final last term and with the squad they have on paper, they should be doing much, much better.

Under Dean Smith, they have a manager who will get the best out of Villa's flair players, but is the playoffs too far-fetched after a dismal start to the season?

Here, we take a look at three things that could de-rail Villa's promotion push.

There is no doubt that John McGinn is such an important player for Villa, and has been by far their standout performer this season.

The Scotsman is just as good at going forward as he is at going back, and the battling, box-to-box midfielder gives the West Midlands side a good balance in midfield.

His form in a struggling Villa side this season is bound to attract Premier League interest in January, and a move to the top-flight may be too much to turn down.

Another thing that could de-rail Villa's promotion push is injuries to key players.

Leeds United have been dealt several injury blows this season with injuries to the likes of Kemar Roofe, Patrick Bamford etc.

If injuries occur to the likes of McGinn, Tammy Abraham and Jack Grealish, then this would be a huge blow for Villa.

Villa are in desperate need for a centre-back having conceded 23 goals in the league this term, and the January transfer window is a crucial time in Villa's season.

The signing of a centre-half needs to be right, they can't just play it safe and sign a free-agent who is coming to the end of his career - they need a long-term solution and need to sign a young, hungry centre-half who has years to grow as a player.