The first season outside of the Premier League has started with mixed results for Aston Villa, but there is a general feeling within the club and amongst its fans that things are starting to turn for the better.

It has been an inconsistent start with one win, one draw, and one loss in the league and an unexpected defeat to League Two club Luton in the EFL Cup 1st Round, but the performances are winning over the doubters that existed at Villa Park.

This Saturday, the Villains travel to promotion candidates Derby with the aim of adding a second win of the season to their record.

They were just 4 minutes away from doing that at home to Huddersfield before Michael Hefele's bizarre equalising goal.

Football League World writer Steve Day looks at a 4-4-2 line-up that he believes would be capable of taking all three points from the iPro Stadium this weekend, and move Roberto Di Matteo's side up towards the play-off positions.....

 

GK: Pierluigi Gollini

golliniiii

The 21-year-old Italian keeper is tipped for a big future, but has been guilty of a couple of costly errors already since he joined Villa from Italian side Hellas Verona.

His poor clearance deflected against Hefele's back, and into his own net to cost his side the win in midweek.

DR: Leandro Bacuna

Leandro Bacuna

Bacuna is a player that has divided opinion.

There is no doubting his ability but rumours surrounding extra-curricular activities have led to a split amongst the fans' opinions, with some calling him unprofessional but others stating that provided he performs on the pitch they couldn't care less what he does off it.

For now, he remains the number one right back.

DL: Joe Bennett

ennett-394499

Only a matter of days ago it appeared that Bennett was heading for the exit door at Villa Park.

He spent last season on loan with Bournemouth in the Premier League and Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship, but has found himself deputising to Aly Cissokho much to the confusion of Villa fans who rate Bennett far higher than the French left back.

He is a player that knows this division well and should be used as a first team starter by Di Matteo immediately.

DC: Tommy Elphick

Tommy Elphickdd

The summer signing from Bournemouth was seen as an astute purchase and his performances have given optimism to Villa fans, who grew tired of a lacklustre and half-hearted defensive unit that contributed to relegation last season.

As club captain, the 28-year-old appears to have triggered the imminent departure of public enemy number one Joleon Lescott, and he looks to be leading by example, which is exactly what Villa need this season.

DC: James Chester

chesterrr

One of the big shock signings of the summer transfer window in the Championship was the arrival of Welsh international centre back Chester from Villa rivals West Brom.

After an impressive 2016 European Championship it seemed Chester's future was set for the Premier League, but money talks and he is now set to form a centre back partnership with Elphick for the coming season with Villa.

MR: Jordan Ayew

jordan ayewjordan ayewd

As soon as relegation from the top-flight was confirmed last season, it was felt that Ghana international Ayew would be one of the first names out of the door, but the club announced that the winger would be remaining with the club due to there being no release clause in his contract.

The player is a big name for Villa at this level and even though he has the ability to win games, his performances so far have seen him criticised for taking too many touches and not having that killer instinct in the final third.

No real rivals for his starting spot, means he should have more time but needs to start producing the goods soon.

ML: Jack Grealish

Jack GrealishJack Grealishd

20-year-old Grealish has courted controversy ever since he broke into the Villa first team.

However, he has started this season positively.

He has already got his name on the score sheet and looks to be embracing Championship life.

As with Ayew, he is a little guilty of holding onto the ball for too long but there is no denying his quality and he can influence games on the wing.

MC: Mile Jedinak

jedinak

The latest signing for Villa comes in the form of the experienced Australian central midfielder Mile Jedinak, who has left Premier League Crystal Palace to join the fight to get back to the promised land at Villa Park.

Jedinak is the sort of physical player that will thrive in the Championship, and he is a natural born leader on the pitch which will benefit Villa to no end.

MC: Ashley Westwood

ashley westwoodw

Villa currently possess two very decent young central midfielders in Westwood and Aaron Tshibola, but for Jedinak to come in one of them must vacate their starting spot.

Based on performances so far this season it has to be Tshibola that gives way.

Westwood has the superior experience and even though Tshibola could turn out to be the more talented individual in the future ,he has time on his side and right now Villa need results so have to back Westwood.

FC: Rudy Gestede

Gestede

When it was confirmed that Villa were going to be playing in the Championship this season, the one immediate positive was that they already had a proven goal scorer at that level within their ranks in the form of Gestede.

The former Blackburn striker 33 league goals for his previous club in 66 league games at that level, and he has already got 2 goals in 2 league games this season.

He is a player that must start.

FC: Ross McCormack

Ross McCormackdcx

If goals were expected from the boot of Gestede then they are even more in-demand with seasoned Championship front man McCormack.

Villa parted with a fair bit of money to secure his signature over the summer and he is already repaying that fee.

The Scottish forward has scored 116 league goals in the English second tier during spells with Cardiff, Leeds, and Fulham.

His pace and tenacity is an ideal partnership to Gestede's physical and aerial threat.

Big things are expected of McCormack this season.

What do you think Villa fans? Is this a starting line-up you would love to see this weekend? Or are there any controversial picks in there? Are there any players missing you would prefer to see start? Let us know your thoughts below!