Aston Villa will go into the Championship play-off final this weekend as underdogs.

But, with the right eleven men on the hallow turf of Wembley Stadium, Steve Bruce’s side might just be able to snatch a victory, and secure their place in the Premier League for next season.

Slavisa Jokanovic’s star studded team have shown their flair and raw talent throughout the campaign, but the fight and determination from the Claret and Blue Army could be enough.

The so-called old guard in the Aston Villa line up have experience second to none in England’s second division, and will be hoping to use that to their advantage.

Steve Bruce does have some injury concerns, but here is a look at how Bruce must employ his starting lineup to get Aston Villa promoted this weekend.

Sam Johnstone has been one of the stand out players this season, not just at Villa Park but in the entirety of the Championship.

The 25-year-old shot stopper signed for Villa on loan from Manchester United last summer, and has played 47 matches for the Claret and Blue Army since.

Ahmed El Mohamady will face a late fitness test prior to the play-off final this weekend, but is likely to be part of the team, despite picking up a recent injury.

The 30-year-old has played 45 times this season, and the versatile defensive player will likely start at right back at Wembley this weekend.

The Welsh international is certain to start in central defence after a campaign that has seen Chester make 51 appearances the Villans.

The 29-year-old will be up against a tough front line of Fulham, which holds players with both pace and power, and will undoubtedly have his hands full for the full 90 minutes.

With wide spread speculation about the future of the Chelsea and England legend at Villa Park, the 37-year-old will be hoping to focus on what is Aston Villa’s biggest game of the season.

John Terry has played 35 games in all competitions this season, and will be hoping to make it back to the league where he spent almost his entire career to date.

Alan Hutton is rumoured to be in negotiations over a new contract at Aston Villa, but the Scotland internationals focus will be solely on this weekend’s fixture.

The 33-year-old has made 32 appearances for Villa this season, and has been deployed on both sides of the defence, but is more than likely to start at left back at Wembley.

The 33-year-old defensive midfielder scored the only goal over the two legs of Villa’s play-off semi-final against Tony Pulis’ Middlesbrough, and looked in good form going into the final.

It isn’t his prowess in front of goal that will get him the nod in the starting lineup however. His dominance and experience in the middle of the park makes him a guaranteed starter for Steve Bruce’s side.

The 30-year-old left sided midfielder has played 34 games this season for Aston Villa, and will be hoping to add to his 15 goals in all competitions at Wembley this weekend.

Albert Adomah played and beat his former side Middlesbrough in the semi-final and will be hoping to play in the Premier League for the first time next season.

Jack Grealish has been on the receiving end of endless compliments of his game this season, and will be hoping to run the midfield on the hallow turf at Wembley.

The 22-year-old has made 30 appearances in all competitions this season, and is more than likely to make it 31 this weekend.

The England Under-21 international will face a tough battle with Fulham’s Tom Cairney in the middle of the park.

Accompanying Grealish in midfield is likely to be Conor Hourihane, who made 43 appearances during the Championship campaign last season.

The 27-year-old joined Aston Villa on a three and a half year deal in January 2017, and has played 56 times for the club since.

Robert Snodgrass could feature in a number of different positions for Aston Villa this weekend, but after an impressive semi-final performance at right midfielder, he is likely to get the nod in that position.

The 30-year-old played 43 times for the Claret and Blue Army across all competitions last season, and will be hoping to get another chance in the Premier League next season with a win this weekend over Fulham.

Lewis Grabban has experienced an odd season, having played 37 times for a combination of Aston Villa and Sunderland.

The 30-year-old joined Sunderland on a season long loan at the start of the season, but after Aston Villa recalled to parent club Bournemouth, the striker was then sent on loan to Villa where he has been unstoppable since.

With 20 goals in the league for the two clubs, Grabban will be hoping to be on the score sheet this weekend, and help his side gain promotion to the Premier League.