As the 2016/17 campaign draws ever closer to an end, Aston Villa fans can go into next season full of optimism following a somewhat disappointing campaign following relegation from the Premier League last term.

One would feel that if Steve Bruce was at the helm for the whole of this campaign, Villa's position in the league table would have been much higher than the 12th place they currently find themselves in.

But aside from managerial issues, there have been some players who just haven't been good enough for Villa this term, and their futures at the club will be hotly debated by Bruce and his staff after the season is over.

For a squad of Villa's quality, they really should have been towards the automatic promotion places this year, instead of the mediocre mid-table position they find themselves in, with two games left to play, however lacklustre performances by certain individuals has perhaps been their biggest downfall.

With that being said, here FLW takes a look at THREE players, Steve Bruce should look to keep, axe, or loan out this summer...

 

Keep: Jack Grealish

The winger has endured a turbulent time this season, criticised heavily for his attitude off the pitch rather than his quality on it.

The Villans have been poor all season for their standards, despite the resurgence of form since Bruce's arrival following Roberto Di Matteo's departure, and Grealish's inconsistency has been metaphorical for Villa's campaign this term.

There is no doubt that Grealish is perhaps one of the best young prospects in the division, and could easily feature regularly in a higher league, which is why that if Villa stick by the winger, they will have a real star in the near future.

 

Axe: Ross McCormack

"A freakish couple of weeks" have destroyed Ross McCormack's of playing football again for loan club Nottingham Forest for the rest of this campaign, which really, is probably for the best.

The Scotsman is said to have undergone a three-hour operation in Glasgow to remove five cysts from his jaw which were caused by an infection in his mouth, whilst also suffering from an ongoing Achilles injury, rounding off what has been a dismal season for the 30-year old.

The striker arrived at Villa Park in August in good stead, having been so prolific in the Championship for previous clubs such as Leeds United and Fulham.

But the forward has scored just 3 goals for Villa in 21 appearances this term, and has netted just the once for Forest.

Plus, when you also take into account the controversial, alleged training ground bust-ups with Bruce, McCormack should definitely be the first person to depart in the summer...

Loan: Libor Kozak

Kozak was extremely close to a January move away from Villa Park, with former club Lazio looking like potential suitors.

A deal never materialised, however, for the Czech, who has scored just 4 times in 22 appearances for the club since his arrival from the Italian side in 2013.

The 27-year old's career at Villa has never really hit off, and even if no-one comes in for the 6-foot-3 forward in the summer, a loan move would probably be the best possible outcome for the striker.

So... What do you think Villa fans? Should Jack Grealish stay at Villa? Should both McCormack and Kozak depart in the summer? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!