Sky Bet Championship side Aston Villa are yet to begin their hunt in player recruitment as Steve Bruce searches to build a promotion challenge to the top-flight in the upcoming Championship campaign. 

The West Midlands outfit have heavily been linked with the potential signing of John Terry, a player who is internationally recognised and could very well be plying his trade at Villa Park next year.

Still, the club also need to focus on other areas of the pitch if they are desperately keen to return to the Premier League but the boss could also look closer to home for hidden talent to improve his current squad.

Aston Villa have one of the largest squads in the Championship and it is time Steve Bruce decided to utilise the tools at his disposal rather than gamble with his transfer budget.

The side have a number of pre-season friendlies coming up, including a trip to Germany, and it is about time a number of fringe players were given the second chance to be amongst the manager's plans for the 2017/18 season.....

Aaron Tshibola

Aaron Tshibola, 22, was one of the initial acquisitions to Aston Villa's squad following their drop to the second-tier last summer, penning a four-year deal to move from Reading to the West Midlands.

It hasn't all gone to plan for the midfielder, who has featured in just eight outings and was shipped out on loan to Nottingham Forest for the second-half of last term, even struggling to get into the starting eleven at the City Ground as well.

Tshibola has potentially picked up a little more experience to help him in the Championship and that could really prove pivotal for his progress at Aston Villa, beginning in the hectic pre-season schedule ahead.

Pierluigi Gollini

The Italian goalkeeper was seemingly surplus to requirements under manager Steve Bruce having been signed up by predecessor Roberto di Matteo, subsequently moving on loan to Atlanta in his homeland.

Pierluigi Gollini was replaced by in-demand 'keeper Sam Johnstone from Manchester United, also on a temporary basis, but Villa are aiming to sign the player on a permanent deal for the long-term.

Bruce has to give his current man a window of opportunity in order to judge why he was signed in the first place, give the 22-year-old some match time in pre-season and he should take advantage of that chance.

Aston Villa supporters, do you agree that these two need pre-season to prove themselves? Do either of them have a future at Villa Park? Let us get your thoughts in the comment section below!