Villa's maiden season in the Championship didn't exactly get off to the start they would have planned and they were far too close to the relegation zone.

This saw Roberto di Matteo added to the list of Aston Villa managerial casualties over the past few years and he has swiftly replaced with a man who knows what promotion is all about: Steve Bruce.

The former Hull boss had guided The Tigers to the Premier League the season before but off the field matters saw him step down from his job, and Villa swooped to make him their manager a couple of months later.

Villa have since picked up and they are now just eight points outside the play-off places, a far cry from where they were when di Matteo departed.

In January, Bruce will be eyeing up potential signings who can strengthen his side ahead of their promotion run in, to ensure they give themselves a fighting chance of an immediate return to the top flight.

With Carl Jenkinson rumoured to be on his way in here is a look at the potential Villa 2017 team under Steve Bruce...

GK: Sam Johnstone

Johnstone hasn't been getting any football with Manchester United and Mourinho is seemingly willing to let him go out on loan.

Villa are one of many clubs who are interested in signing the shot stopper and they look to be winning the race.

Villa currently have Pierluigi Gollini in net but Johnstone would probably start due to more experience.

RB: Carl Jenkinson

After a season and a half on loan at West Ham United, Jenkinson returned to Arsenal but his progress has been hampered by injury.

Jenkinson would provide some defensive solidity and an attacking threat going forward; he would be a great coup for Villa on loan.

It looks like the Arsenal full back would replace Alan Hutton, who Bruce doesn't seem to be convinced by and is looking to replace.

CB: James Chester

Chester joined Villa in the summer, taking the step down from the Premier League to join the Championship outfit.

He has impressed at the back so far for Villa and could count himself slightly unlucky not to have more clean sheets.

Chester is a solid defender, but there is far more to his game that just keeping the ball out of the net.

The Welsh international is a great all-round player and his ability on the ball makes him one of the Championship's best defenders.

CB: Tommy Elphick

Elphick was another player who stepped down to the Championship from the top flight.

Having been the Bournemouth skipper at the time, it came as a surprise to many that Elphick departed the seaside club.

Elphick is an old fashioned defender, he doesn't have the same ability on the ball as his defensive partner but that is why they complement each other well.

He is an out and out defender and he is willing to throw himself in front of anything to prevent a goal.

LB: Jordan Amavi

Amavi has regained his position in the Villa side this season after a terrible injury which ruled him out for the majority of last year.

He has strung a good run of performances together this year and he has proved to be a key player in Villa's upturn in form.

Amavi provides Villa with great energy up and down the left side and once he is in the final third he provides quality into the box too for the strikers to feed on.

RM: Albert Adomah

Adomah is yet another Villa summer signing who stepped down a division, which really highlights the stature of the club.

The Ghanaian international has found his feet at Villa Park and he is now starting to show what his game is all about.

He is one of the best players in the division when it comes beating defenders and supplying quality into the box.

CM: Gary Gardner

Gardner broke onto the first team scene at Aston Villa in 2011 but he has spent the vast majority of his time out on loan since then.

However, he has been a first team regular this season under Steve Bruce and he is showing his worth for the Villains.

Gardner has shown his quality in midfield this season, despite playing with a variety of midfield partners and at times on the wing.

He possesses great quality on the ball but he is also prepared to work hard off the ball.

CM: James McCarthy

Everton midfielder McCarthy would be a huge coup for Villa if they were to get him.

The Republic of Ireland international is seemingly unwanted at Everton so a January move looks to be on the cards.

He would bring a vast amount of experience to Villa Park, not to mention his quality both in and out of possession.

McCarthy is a workhorse in midfield and alongside Gardner he could prove to be an invaluable signing for Bruce.

LM: Robbie Brady

Brady is currently playing for one of Villa's promotion rivals, Norwich City so there could be a reluctance from The Canaries to let him go.

However Bruce has worked with Brady before at Hull so the Irish winger could fancy a reunion with his former boss.

His set piece deliveries are arguably the best in the Championship and they could be a key avenue for goals for Villa.

He also possesses the ability to glide past defenders with ease and he has an eye for a goal.

ST: Abel Hernandez

Hernandez was one of the top scorers in the Championship last season and he was part of the Hull City side which got promoted with Steve Bruce at the helm.

The Uruguayan is a clinical goalscorer at this level and he would be a huge signing for Villa.

Like Brady, Hernandez may like a reunion with Bruce at Villa and if he could strike a partnership with Jonathan Kodjia, they could prove a deadly duo.

Hernandez is blessed with blistering pace and this is why he scores so many goals.

ST: Jonathan Kodjia

Since Jonathan Kodjia's Championship record move to Villa Park in the summer, he has hit the ground running and he is already paying off some of his transfer fee, scoring some huge goals to win Villa so massive points.

Similarly to Hernandez, Kodjia is blessed with blistering pace and this has played a key part in some of the goals he has scored.

He is very calm in front of goal and if you present him with chances, he will score you goals.

If he can keep up his goal scoring form, Villa could be looking at an immediate return to the top flight.

Aston Villa fans - do you agree with this team? Is there anything you would change? Do you see positions for Jedinak or Grealish in this XI? Let us know in the comments below...