It was meant to be a matter of course that Villa would walk the Sky Bet Championship and be returning to the Premier League next season.

However, it hasn't turned out that way and instead they have become the first manager to part companies with their manager since the start of the season.

They sit in 19th place, and have some real issues on their hands - whilst their defence hasn't been that bad, they're scoring tally (10) is tiny in comparison to that of Norwich (21) and Newcastle (22).

This weekend, local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers visit Villa Park to make it even harder for new manager Steve Bruce to get off to a good start in charge.

Wolves have come under some criticism themselves, especially after the 4-0 defeat to Barnsley, with manager Walter Zenga's recruitment being a particular focus.

Here, in the opinion of FLW's Ryan Evans, is an Aston Villa XI that will beat Wolves this weekend in the Midlands derby...

 

GK: Mark Bunn

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After Roberto di Matteo started with his summer signing Pierluigi Gollini, some Villa fans were crying out for Bunn to be instated back in the team.

That happened ahead of the game with Preston, although the 31-year old was powerless to do much about the 2-0 loss that ended up costing the Champions League winning manager his job.

I expect that Bunn will keep his place in the team ahead of Saturday's derby with Wolves, but will be under intense pressure to help his side climb up the table.

 

RB: Ritchie de Laet

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With four right-backs in the side, it looks like it could be a sporadic season for them if team changes continue at the same rate as they have so far.

Micah Richards has feature twice, once as a centre-back and once at right-back in the EFL Cup; Leandro Bacuna as di Matteo's favoured option, although only five of his nine games have come at right-back; and Alan Hutton, who played in the defeat to Preston but only has two Championship games to his name.

I've picked Ritchie de Laet for this game, who has three Championship appearances to his name.

Last season, the 27-year old did the double of winning the Premier League with Leicester City and helping Middlesbrough win promotion to the Premier League whilst on loan in the North East, and I think deserves to start on Saturday.

Since joining in late August, he started his first three but hasn't featured since, but that could change this weekend.

CB: Tommy Elphick

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After signing from AFC Bournemouth in the summer, Elphick was immediately made captain.

He knows what it takes to win this league after he started in every single one of the Cherries' games in 2014-15 to play a major role in their promotion.

So far, he's one of the few Villa players to come out with any sort of respect.

He has played every single Championship minute this season, and it could be argued that Elphick is potentially one of the best signings of the summer in this league. He just needs to prove his worth now.

CB: James Chester

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It's an all look Villa centre-back partnership from the dodgy days of last season, with Chester joining Elphick at the heart of the Villa defence from West Bromwich Albion.

He enjoyed an amazing summer with Wales at the European Championships, and it was perhaps slightly surprising to see him have to drop down a league.

The 27-year old, like Elphick, has played in every single minute of this season, and this partnership could prove to be a vital one later on in this campaign.

LB: Aly Cissokho

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The one face in the back four from last season, Cissokho has only missed one game in this campaign.

That statistic is a similar one to his game time from 2015-16, where he only missed one game since re-joining the club after a loan spell at Porto in January.

He, like most of the Villa players, will need to up their game against a tough Wolves outfit, who will be up for it more than ususal because of the derby day atmosphere there promises to be at Villa Park.

CDM: Mile Jedinak

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Signed from Crystal Palace in mid-August, Jedinak has never actually been on the winning side for Villa this season, but that could be said about many a player.

The Australian international was a key reason behind Crystal Palace's rise to the cusp of the European spots, and their promotion to the Premier League in 2012-13.

CDM: Ashley Westwood

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Alongside Jedinak, I've gone for Ashley Westwood.

He was a key member of the Villa team as they got to the FA Cup final a few years ago, and was tipped for a call-up to the England squad, but hasn't been able to reproduce that form again.

He's played in every single Villa game this season, and I'm sure that it will continue when Wolves visit on Saturday.

On his day, he makes all that he does look so effortless, and Villa could really do with that Ashley Westwood back in their team.

RM: Jordan Ayew

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The talented 25-year-old has probably been their best performing attacking outlet, with two goals and three assists in all competitions, after featuring in every single game so far across the board.

He was also Villa's top scorer last season, his first in England, with seven goals to his name, so is likely to be a crucial cog in the Villa machine if they are to start climbing up the Championship table.

CAM: Ross McCormack

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Villa are blessed with a number of top quality strikers, Ross McCormack, Jonathan Kodjia, Jordan Ayew and Rudy Gestede, but, however, they haven't performed to the level that you'd expect those players to.

I've decided to play McCormack in this position because I can't justify leaving the ex-Fulham striker on the bench. Despite the Cottagers coming 20th place last season, he scored 21 and claimed ten assists, a highly impressive record for anyone in any league around the world.

In fact, the club's form in front of goal after losing him proves just how invaluable he was in West London.

He hasn't hit the heights since his move to the second city, but has a better record than any other striker apart from Gestede, with two goals and an assist.

LM: Jack Grealish

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Most definitely the flare player in this team, Grealish has had a few run-ins with the respective management teams in the past couple of seasons due to off-the-field behaviour, but there's no doubting his ability and potential on it.

Despite operating mainly from attacking midfield last season, he's been playing generally as a left-winger this season, which is where he's been most effective and where I think Bruce will choose to play him this weekend.

ST: Jonathan Kodjia

Similar to McCormack, Kodjia simply must get in the team after his heroics at Bristol City last season. He has a solitary goal for Villa so far this season, but scored 18 for a side who ended up finishing in 18th place, again an incredible record.

I have no doubts that once Kodjia settles in he'll be banging the goals in for fun, and Bruce and co need that to start happening, as soon as possible as so far their strikers have been letting the side down.

Villa fans, what do you think? Would this team get you past Wolves? What changes would you make? Let us know your thoughts and opinions via the comments box below!