It has been a difficult summer for Aston Villa fans, who have seen their side hit with a major financial crisis and lose some key players like John Terry and Sam Johnstone.

Aston Villa fans were hopeful of re-signing Johnstone on a permanent deal and committing Terry to a longer contract but Financial Fair Play regulations prevented them from doing that and it looked like it would force them into selling their best players.

Jack Grealish and James Chester were among the players who may have been axed to comply with Financial Fair Play but a recent takeover has eased their woes and now Villa supporters can start looking forward to the new season.

Ahead of the new campaign, FLW writer Jay Williams caught up with Colin Murray - the host of the new EFL highlights show on Quest TV - to discuss Aston Villa's prospects for the upcoming season.

Murray was unsure what to expect of the Villans next term with so much uncertainty surrounding the club.

He told us: “Unless you’re mystic Meg and you’ve got some superpower, who can tell? The variables are absolutely everywhere. The future of Jack Grealish is absolutely huge for them."

Grealish hit three goals and provided six assists for team-mates last season but the 22-year-old is starting to emerge as a real hit in the first-team.

The local lad is a boyhood Aston Villa fan and plays each game with the same passion that the supporters give and his playing style has matured.

Big things are expected of the England under-21 international this season if he does not complete a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Talking about the mentality of the side, Murray added that it will be tough for the West Midlands outfit to bounce back after their bitterly disappointing play-off final defeat to Fulham.

Steve Bruce's side came so close to earning promotion back to the top flight but that needs to be put behind them and the focus must be on another bid for the automatic spots.

Murray added: “They’ve got to come back from getting so close to the Premier League but not getting there. If I’m a Villa fan right now, I’m excited, I’m nervous, I’m anxious. It’s like I’m on the worst first date!”