It has been a distinctly mediocre and underwhelming start for Aston Villa in the Championship.
Aston Villa sit 17th in the table after only managing to earn six points from their opening six league games.
There has been two disappointing losses against Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City, three draws and just the one victory over Rotherham.
Expectations were high this summer when Roberto di Matteo was announced as manager and money was being splashed on improving the squad.
This is Aston Villa's first ever season outside of the Premier League and they were hoping for a swift return. Performances will have to improve if they are to achieve an instant promotion back to the top tier.
Aston Villa host Brentford in what promises to be a tricky tie on Wednesday night.
The Bees sit 8th in the league and will come into this fixture full of confidence on the back of an away victory over promotion hopefuls Brighton.
Aston Villa should, however, have enough to see off Brentford provided that they select this XI and they all perform to high standards...
GK: Mark Bunn
Aston Villa's first choice goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini was replaced at half time, after a collision with Henri Lansbury had the 21-year-old throwing up on the pitch and seeming dazed.
He will be assessed ahead of Wednesday's match but it might be wise to take him out of the firing line for a bit while he makes a full recovery.
Mark Bunn is therefore in line to start his first league game of the season and the 31-year-old has plenty of experience, so will not be fazed by the challenge.
Instead he will be hoping to stake a claim for a regular starting spot between the sticks.
RB: Ritchie De Laet
Ritchie De Laet should continue at right back ahead of rivals Alan Hutton, Leandro Bacuna and Micah Richards.
The 27-year-old can play on either side at full back and is a more defensively solid option than Hutton and Bacuna.
He is also able to provide a threat going forward too and he should continue in his starting role against Brentford.
CB: Tommy Elphick
Experienced defender Tommy Elphick was a sensible signing for this year's Championship campaign.
The 29-year-old is a physical centre half who had played over 300 games for Brighton and Bournemouth before moving to Villa Park.
Elphick has started every league game under Di Matteo this season and looks to be a key part of his plans for the season.
CB: James Chester
Chester is the other half of the centre back partnership after arriving from West Brom this summer.
The Wales international has plenty of experience in the top two divisions whilst at Hull.
Di Matteo has persisted with the Chester-Elphick centre back combination so the 27-year-old should retain his starting spot this weekend.
LB: Jordan Amavi
Aston Villa are rightly tentative about reintroducing Jordan Amavi to the starting line-up but after sitting on the bench for a few weeks, surely the Frenchman is ready to make his return.
The 22-year-old was one of Villa's star performers during a dire Premier League campaign last year and his long-term injury sustained in November was a devastating blow.
Villa resisted Premier League interest to keep Amavi at the club and if he can stay fit and replicate his form from last year, then di Matteo has a quality young player on his hands.
RM: Albert Adomah
Jordan Ayew has not started the season well and could be dropped on Wednesday if Albert Adomah is declared fit to play.
The 28-year-old has been plying his trade in the Championship for a while now with Bristol City and Middlesbrough.
On his day, the Ghana international has the star quality to change a game as he offers good service to the forwards as well as posing a goal threat himself.
The pacy winger made a deadline day move and is waiting to make his Aston Villa debut after missing the Nottingham Forest clash through injury.
CM: Ashley Westwood
Ashley Westwood is Aston Villa's first choice central midfielder and his experience, composure and passing range is extremely useful in the second tier.
The 26-year-old has been a mainstay in Aston Villa's first team since arriving from Crewe back in 2012.
The tidy 5'9'' midfielder should continue in his starting midfield role for the Villains against Brentford.
CM: Mile Jedinak
Jedinak was an unused substitute against Nottingham Forest on Sunday but di Matteo hopes that he will be fit enough to start in midweek.
If he is fit enough, he should start ahead of fitness doubt Aaron Tshibola and Gary Gardner in the centre of midfield.
The tough-tackling no-nonsense defensive midfielder could prove to be a vital asset in the Villa midfield.
The 32-year-old Australia international arrived in the summer having played well over 100 games for Crystal Palace.
LM: Jack Grealish
Controversial youngster Jack Grealish looks like he might finally be getting his head down and concentrating on producing the goods on the pitch.
The 21-year-old has been impressive so far this season for Villa and has the ability to terrorise any defence in the league on his day.
After already scoring twice this season, di Matteo will hope that the England under-21 international - who switched allegiance from the Republic of Ireland recently - can keep stirring up excitement whilst scoring and setting up goals.
ST: Ross McCormack
Ross McCormack has featured in every Aston Villa league game this season and scored two goals.
The Scotland international is the most experienced Championship-level striker in their squad and needs to lead the line for di Matteo.
The 30-year-old is a renowned prolific goalscorer in the second tier after successful stints with Cardiff, Leeds and Fulham.
ST: Rudy Gestede
Jonathan Kodjia showed plenty of promise on his debut but Rudy Gestede might be given the nod ahead of Kodjia because of rotation and as a reward for his substitute goal on the weekend.
Gestede scored an acrobatic goal to fire Villa ahead against Nottingham Forest after replacing Gary Gardner.
The 6'4'' Benin international striker would compliment McCormack well as he is a very physical player who is tough to defend against, especially in aerial battles.
The 27-year-old is also fighting for his first team spot after being benched on the weekend.