Aston Villa will already be focused on the play-offs after just coming up short in their pursuit of automatic promotion.

After a slow start, Steve Bruce's men enjoyed a fine season but lost crucial games in recent months which prevented them catching second-placed Cardiff City.

Nevertheless, the West Midlands side will still be confident of securing a return to the Premier League through the play-offs given their performances against the better sides in the league recently.

Promotion is crucial for Villa who would be hit by FFP restrictions next season if they remain in the Championship, which will increase the nerves ahead of the high-pressure games that await.

Therefore, whether they're planning a rebuild in the Championship or looking for players to join a top-flight club, it promises to be a very busy summer at Villa Park.

Here we look at four players who will leave before the season starts...

The big defender is out of contract and he won't be getting offered a new deal either way.

Mile Jedinak has been preferred at centre-back even when John Terry has been injured with Samba a real backup option.

The former Forest midfielder just hasn't made an impact on this Villa side.

Injuries haven't helped but he has struggled to play even when fit. At 27 he should be desperate to play regularly and will have to move to get that.

McCormack has been an expensive mistake from Villa and has already played his last game for the club.

His well-documented argument with Bruce saw him sent to Australia on loan where he did very well.

Despite that, Villa will be desperate to get rid of the high earner this summer.

This will be more in hope than expectation.

Richards is on a massive contract at Villa Park but seems content to stay.

However, Villa will hope that another year on the sidelines convinces the former England international to search for game time elsewhere and take a pay-cut to leave or come to some sort of arrangement.