It's no secret that Aston Villa are struggling this season, and Dean Smith will be hoping he is the man to turn his boyhood club's poor form around this season. 

Villa are currently sat 15th in the Championship table and have struggled to justify their promotion credentials.

Smith has a large number of players that have the quality to be playing at a higher level, but they have struggled to mould together as a squad this season.

The former Brentford boss is clearly considering other alternatives in January as he has been linked with making a move for Sheffield Wednesday talisman Barry Bannan.

The move would come with a hefty price tag- with the Mirror reporting that the deal could be worth up to £8m, which would be a gamble for Smith's side.

But Bannan is one of the most creative players in the league and he would fit in perfectly into this Villa side.

But how would the potential new-look Villa midfield line up?

Find out here....

McGinn has been the rare bright spark in a disappointing season so far for Aston Villa.

Since arriving at the club in the summer from Scottish side Hibernian, McGinn has been a regular in the starting XI for the Championship club.

McGinn would certainly compliment Bannan well in the centre of the Villa midfield.

Bannan would be the missing link that Villa have not had this season.

His creativity makes him one of the best midfielders in the Championship, and although he would come with a hefty price tag, Bannan certainly has the ability to justify that and fire his side up the league table and challenging for a top six spot.

The 27-year-old will be frustrated with his current playing time, with Hourihane only making seven starts this season.

But with five assists already to his name, he will be confident of proving himself to Dean Smith after a number of impressive performances last season for Villa.

Hourihane scored 11 goals last season for Steve Bruce as Villa fell to an agonising play-off final defeat to Fulham.

The on-loan winger has failed to make a real impact since arriving in the summer.

If Bolasie can find his feet at the club and stay clear of injuries, then he has a huge part to play in Villa's season.

Bolasie is just one of a number of Villa attacking players that have the ability to single-handedly win games on their own.

Powell has been in excellent form for Wigan this season and would be an ideal replacement for Jack Grealish who could potentially leave the club in January.

Powell has four goals and four assists to his name already this season as his Wigan side are currently sat 14th in the table.

The former Manchester United forward would be an excellent addition to have playing in behind Tammy Abraham.