It's been a rocky start to life at Villa Park for Roberto Di Matteo to say the least, with a defeat to Sheffield Wednesday and another in the League Cup to Luton making it a miserable start for the Italian and the Villans.

This weekend they welcome Rotherham United and Alan Stubbs, who will be buoyed by their opening day draw with Wolves, but then had a nightmare in midweek against Morecambe in the EFL Cup.

New owner Tony Xia has been very vocal in his criticism of certain players, and this weekend might be a firm indication of what players might have played their last game for the club.

It already seems like a must win game for Villa, while a defeat to the Millers would no doubt see the panic button being pressed again.

Here, FLW writer Lee Connor picks his XI which he feels will defeat Rotherham United this weekend...

GK - Pierluigi Gollini

The new goalkeeper is unlikely to see his place under threat this early in the season, and has looked solid enough so far in fairness to him.

Gollini will get the nod again this weekend, and be looking to make the number one jersey his own.

RB - Alan Hutton

Usually a player you can deem Mr Reliable, Hutton will play again at full back ahead of the likes of Micah Richards.

However, with Ritchie De Laet potentially on his way in, Hutton will need to impress in order to secure his place in the team.

CB - Tommy Elphick

A shoo in to start, the new signing from Bournemouth should be a key man for Villa all season.

Elphick brings leadership and strong defensive qualities to what looks a weak defence so far.

CB - Nathan Baker

Although he can look shaky, Baker has the chance to develop a real solid partnership with Elphick.

Di Matteo is unlikely to break this up so early in the season, so we should see Baker and Elphick lining up again.

LB - Jordan Amavi

Amavi didn't get the nod in the first game, but after a terrible injury last season is back available for selection and for me should be playing.

One of the best left backs in the league if he is one form, Amavi has excellent ability and attacking prowess, something Di Matteo will be looking to utilise.

CM - Aaron Tshibola

The new man from Reading might get the nod ahead of Gary Gardner after replacing him during the first game at Hillsborough.

Tshibola should give the midfield some much needed drive, and he may well make his home debut this weekend.

CM - Ashley Westwood

A steady midfield player who always does ok, Westwood will start plenty of games this season for the Villans.

Westwood has been touted for a move back to the Premier League, but for now will find himself in the Villa team more often than not.

RW - Jordan Ayew

The Ghanian is still one of the best goal threats in the team at Villa Park, and Di Matteo is likely to utilise him down one of the attacking wing positions for the near future.

Ayew scored 7 goals last term, and will be expected to hit the back of the net this season when he plays.

Number 10 - Ross McCormack

The new big money signing could excel in a number 10 role, where his goals and assists could be crucial to Villa having any success this season.

The Scot is a proven performer at Championship level, and Di Matteo will be hoping he can bring that proven ability to the table this weekend.

LW - Jack Grealish

The young midfielder came off the bench for McCormack at the weekend, but a start could be on the horizon this weekend.

Grealish has the ability to unlock defences, and with Rotherham already shipping goals this season, will relish the chance at causing havoc this weekend.

Fwd - Rudy Gestede

There is something about Gestede which makes you think that him and McCormack will be an excellent partnership.

If played right and his strengths used, he could fire the goals in the season to propel Villa up the table. Starting with this weekend, where a goal will be most welcome for the former Blackburn man.