Villa currently have a chance of getting promoted through the play-offs, but they need to take these four risks regardless of whether they get promoted.

Steve Bruce has done a great job since he joined the club October 2016. This is only his second season in charge and his first full season, but he has managed to take them into the play-off positions with fourth place being the most likely finish.

Villa have a strong squad currently for the level they are at, but there are always improvements that can be made and these will only be enhanced if they do get promoted.

Here are four areas that need to be addressed in the summer with varying elements of risk attached...

John Terry has performed well in his first season at the club with his work on and off the pitch being pivotal in ensuring that Villa are in the position they are currently in. However, his performances continue to deteriorate every season, so it won't be long before he isn't good enough for this level.

Last season at Chelsea showed that he can't keep up with the intensity of the Premier League.

His contract runs out at the end of the season, and Villa shouldn't extend it because they have to keep in mind that bringing him in was always a short-term plan with an immediate boost.

The team already has plenty of experience, so it won't be hard to find someone to replace him as captain.

Releasing Terry means they need to find someone to fill his role in the team. They should use this opportunity to bring in a young talented replacement which will help lower the average age of the defence.

There are plenty of options in the division with Chris Mepham being one that stands out due to his impressive breakthrough season with Brentford.

This is important regardless of whether they get promoted, but it will be key in the Premier League due to the ever increasing need for defenders who are used to the modern demands of football such as composure on the ball, the ability to recycle possession as well as being confident in breaking the lines through either dribbling or passing.

Villa need to put their trust in Sam Johnstone as their long-term main goalkeeper by signing him permanently. They have only seen how good he is for one season in the Championship. However, he has shown more than enough to suggest that he can thrive for Villa.

It might be seen as a bit of a risk for Villa to put all their faith in a 25-year-old in his first full season as a main goalkeeper in the Championship. However, risks such as this have a huge payoff if they are successful, and this would certainly be worth the risk.

He isn't in Manchester United's first-team plans, so they should be able to get him for a suitable price in the summer unless other clubs try and swoop in.

Bruce likes to have experience as the spine of his team due to the reliability that it brings because of how prepared they are for every potential scenario. However, Villa are in desperate need of younger players to lower the average age of the squad because some of their first-team young players are on loan such as Josh Onomah and Sam Johnstone.

They need to add some youthful vigour into the team in order to ensure that their play doesn't become stagnant as well as ensuring that they have an element of surprise in their play.

The defence is the area in most need of this because the other parts of the squad have youth players coming through who can offer something different. Axel Tuanzebe has played a few times for Villa, but he is on loan from Manchester United. Getting the right blend of experience and youthful vigour has the potential to produce great results, so that has to be one of the aims in the summer.