It has been a turbulent start to the 2018/19 season for Aston Villa with the pressure on manager Steve Bruce intensifying with every game that passes. 

Last night the club drew 3-3 at Villa Park against bottom-of-the-league Preston North End despite being 2-0 up and with Glenn Whelan wasting a last-minute penalty to claim all three points.

After the summer business had come to an end, hopes were high of a serious push for promotion with the likes of Yannick Bolasie, Anwar El Ghazi, Tammy Abraham and John McGinn all arriving.

But with the club currently sat in 12th place, attention may have already turned to the January window.

It is safe to assume that more players will be coming through the door, but there will no doubt be some going the other way as well.

So, which players are almost certain to be leaving the club in the winter?

We discuss...

Alfie Burns

Henri Lansbury needs to get out of that club and put his career back on track.

The midfielder has plenty of ability, but for some reason, just isn’t in Bruce’s plans.

Of course, the managerial situation might change, but if Lansbury’s situation doesn’t, he needs to be pushing for a move.

Chris Gallagher

Henri Lansbury has to leave.

He joined as a very talented midfielder but his career has stalled big time with the West Midlands club.

He is going to need to take a big hit in terms of wages but it needs to be done as he is nowhere near the Villa team and should be making an impact in this league.

George Harbey

How is Micah Richards still at Villa?

The defender hasn’t played a game in two years and should definitely look to leave in January - he’s bound to be on high wages which Villa need to stop.

Louie Chandler

If Henri Lansbury is still a Villa player at the start of February I will buy a hat and then eat it.

He is not currently even in Steve Bruce's pecking order let alone really low down on it.