Aston Villa have a huge week on their hands in the Sky Bet Championship, with attention at Villa Park firmly on the play-offs.  

Having finished fourth in the division, Steve Bruce’s side will face Middlesbrough in the play-off semi-finals, which take place this weekend.

It is Villa’s job to travel to the Riverside Stadium for the first-leg tomorrow evening, with the reverse leg coming on Tuesday.

Tony Pulis has laid his cards on the table and revealed that Boro will name an unchanged line-up from the side that drew with Ipswich Town last weekend on the final day of the season.

However, unlike Boro, Villa will be expected to make changes, with Bruce fielding a weakened side when travelling to Millwall last weekend.

With that in mind, we take a look at the starting XI Bruce could select that will give Villa the best chance of gaining the advantage in the play-off semi-final…

Johnstone should return in goal in place of Mark Bunn, who was handed a rare start last weekend at Millwall.

Elmohamady has been the most consistent of Villa’s right-backs this season.

Villa’s ever-present centre-back should continue in the heart of defence.

Terry will undoubtedly return to captain the side.

The experience of the ex-England skipper is going to be key.

Neil Taylor’s injury means Hutton will start on the left of defence, which is a position he is familiar with, having deputised there a lot this season.

Like Terry, Whelan will bring some much-needed experience to this line-up in a key position.

Snodgrass has experienced the play-offs on a number of occasions and will offer Villa their main attacking threat on the right.

Hourihane has scored some big goals this season and Bruce will be hoping the Irishman pops up with one more this weekend.

Grealish is Villa’s key man.

Bruce will be looking for another outstanding display from the 22-year-old, who is playing some of his best football.

Albert Adomah drops out, with Bjarnason coming in due to his defensive ability.

The Icelandic midfielder will have the job of helping Hutton deal with Adama Traore.

Villa have some serious options in attack, but it should be Grabban given the responsibility of leading the line.