After a revival in the second half of the season under Steve Bruce, Aston Villa steadily climbed up the table to finish 13th in the Sky Bet Championship, eighteen points off a playoff place.

Considering that Aston Villa was languishing in 19th place when Steve Bruce took over, it appears that Aston Villa have turned a corner and the aim can return to gaining promotion to the Premier League.

However, first Steve Bruce will have to use the summer to trim Aston Villa's bloated squad by removing the deadwood that have neither a short term or long term future at the club.

Already this season, Aston Villa have loaned out a number of players and in the summer, their futures at the club may be in doubt as Steve Bruce looks to makr room in the squad for his own signings.

FLW writer Elliott Wheat-Bowen looks at THREE Aston Villa players who are likely to be axed this summer....

 

Aly Cissokho

As part of the side that was relegated from the Premier League, Aly Cissokho has struggled to make a good impression since joining Aston Villa.

The former Liverpool and Valencia defender was expected to be the first choice left back for Aston Villa, however, a string of disappointing performances had left him on the periphery of the squad.

In the January transfer window, Steve Bruce allowed Aly Cissokho to leave temporarily as he joined Greek champions Olympiacos on loan until the end of the season.

As Olympiakos have a clause in the loan deal which allows the Greek champions to sign Cissokho in the summer, the French defender could join the Greek champions on a permanent basis.

In the summer as part of the major clearout that is needed, Aly Cissokho is likely to be axed to make space in the squad and reduce the wage bill.

Pierluigi Gollini

When Pierluigi Gollini joined Aston Villa from Hellas Verona, it was expected that the 22-year-old Italian would become Aston Villa's first choice goalkeeper.

However, a number of costly and glaring mistakes showed that the young Italian goalkeeper was not at the level to play regular Championship football.

After a number of disappointing performances, Pierluigi Gollini was dropped and Mark Bunn was given an opportunity between the sticks before the arrival of Sam Johnstone.

In the January transfer window, Serie A side Atalanta offered to take Gollini on loan which appeared to be the best decision for all parties concerned.

With the 22-year-old goalkeeper in neither Steve Bruce's short term or long term plans, in the summer, Pierluigi Gollini is likely to be axed.

Ross McCormack

After making one of the highest-profile moves in the Championship last summer, Ross McCormack's short stint at Aston Villa has been one fraught with controversy.

Following the falling out between Steve Bruce and Ross McCormack about the Scottish striker's attitude and lack of professional behaviour, Bruce allowed Ross McCormack to temporarily leave.

With a number of Championship sides interested in signing the Scottish striker in the January transfer window, Ross McCormack joined Nottingham Forest on loan until the end of the season.

Although Aston Villa spent a Championship record fee on Ross McCormack, it's difficult to see how the relationship between Steve Bruce and Ross McCormack can be repaired.

In the summer, as Aston Villa look to re-build in search of promotion back to the Premier League, Ross McCormack is one of the players who is likely to be axed in the summer.