As Villa boss Steve Bruce looks to put his mark on the Villa squad in January, there could be a few casualties, as Bruce looks to strengthen his squad ahead of their promotion push.

Bruce has inherited a squad at Villa Park that is made up largely of previous manager, Roberto Di Matteo’s players, some of which Bruce probably wouldn’t have signed if he was in charge.

The Villa boss has managed to work well with what he’s got so far though and he has vastly improved their form, leaving Bruce with an unbeaten record as Villa boss so far.

In January, it is likely that Bruce will wield the axe on a few of the bit part players in his squad.

Bruce will be looking to reinforce and improve the level of quality, in both the starting eleven and substitutes.

However, to make sure his squad isn’t too big, Bruce will have to let some players go and he will look to some of the fringe players to sell.

Libor Kozak could certainly be someone who Bruce decides to axe in the January transfer window.

Here, are TWO players who should look to follow Libor Kozak out of Villa if he departs…

Alan Hutton

Hutton is currently Villa’s starting right back but doesn’t instil Villa fans with much confidence when he is playing.

Hutton is someone who is no more than a fringe player and wouldn’t get in most of the top end Championship teams.

Hutton is quite ponderous on the ball and sometimes doesn’t know what to do with it, which is less than ideal for a right back.

He isn’t bad defensively, but the ex-Tottenham man isn’t able to get up and down the pitch as much as he used to be able to do.

Ashley Westwood

Westwood is in and out of the Villa starting eleven but never seems to be able to nail down a starting spot every week.

Westwood is up against stiff competition in the Villa midfield and he rarely seems to come out on top, making him someone who Bruce could look to move on.

Westwood keeps possession very well but his problem is that he slows play down, with most of his passes being played sideways or backwards.

He also doesn’t offer Villa much going forward or defensively, which is mainly why others are picked ahead of him, because they can have more impact on the game.