Aston Villa and Norwich are widely thought to be two of the Championships best teams, but surprisingly, only one of the two has got off to a good start.

Both of these teams came down from last season’s Premier League with the goal at the start of the season being to get back at the first time of asking.

Norwich got off to a flying start to the season, which saw them sit in top spot, but they have since suffered a dip in form, which has seen them slide down to fifth position and slip off the tails of the top two: Newcastle and Brighton.

Villa had begun the season in contrasting fashion. A poor start saw them sit just above the bottom three and their manager Roberto di Matteo get sacked.

Since Villa have brought in Steve Bruce, they have looked far better and they look more like a team who could challenge for promotion.

Both teams have quality players in their ranks and here I will look at which players would make a combined eleven from these two teams.

Michael McGovern

The Norwich keeper was the hero for Northern Ireland in the summer at Euro 2016, so it was no surprise that the free agent was quickly snapped up by Norwich.

McGovern is a fantastic shot stopper and he has great reactions.

This is something that makes him a key player for Norwich, over the course of the season he will keep them in many games and win them points, something top sides need their keeper to do.

McGovern just edges out Pierluigi Golina, who is a good keeper, but not quite at the same level as McGovern yet.

Ivo Pinto

Pinto joined Norwich last season as he tried to help them avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

He impressed in the Premier League and will no doubt continue his form this season.

Pinto is the definition of modern day full back, he bombs up and down the wing, supplying balls into the box without forgetting his defensive duties.

Pinto is an outlet for Norwich down the right side and he is someone who could be key to their success.

Pinto goes into the team ahead on Alan Hutton, who doesn’t quite possess the same attacking threat that Pinto does.

James Chester

Chester is one of a few players who took the step down from the Premier League in the summer, to play at go and play for Villa.

Chester is a great player in possession of the ball, something essential for a centre back nowadays.

He never panics when he’s got the ball and can always retain it.

On top of this he is also a great defender, which will make him key if Villa are to get promotion this year.

Chester cements his place in the team ahead of Timm Klose because Chester is a more rounded defender than Klose.

Russell Martin

The Norwich skipper has been a key figure in their success over the last few years and his leadership at the back will be crucial for Norwich if they want to start keeping clean sheets.

Martin is an out-and-out defender who will throw himself in front of the ball to stop the opposition scoring.

He is someone every manager loves because of his commitment for the cause.

Martin just edges out Tommy Elphick, mainly because Elphick seems to be prone to an error, whereas Martin is very reliable.

Jordan Amavi

Amavi was in fine form last season before a long term injury abruptly halted his progress.

He has since returned and looks to be growing in confidence ahead of Villa’s promotion push.

Amavi can get up and down the left wing throughout the game and he has quality at the end, something not a lot of full backs can say.

His energy is vital for Villa; their midfielders always have an option out wide with Amavi always happy to have the ball.

Amavi gets the nod ahead on Norwich’s Olsson, in what was a very tough decision.

Graham Dorrans

Dorrans has had a good season so far, putting in some very good performances and it seems like he is benefiting from regular first team football.

Dorrans is always comfortable on the ball and he has an eye for a killer pass.

Creativity in midfield is something which Alex Neil likes, making Dorrans a key figure in his plans.

He also has an eye for a goal and goals from midfield are crucial in the Championship.

Dorrans gets his spot in the team ahead of Mile Jedinak, who has so far failed to impress at Villa park.

Jonny Howson

Howson is a fans favourite at Carrow Road and Alex Neil would love to keep hold of him for as long as possible but he has attracted interest from the Premier League before and that interest may be rekindled.

Howson is the all-round midfielder: he can break up play, keep possession and score goals - this is why he is so sought after.

It is probably his eye for a goal that attracts teams to his the most, with all Premier League teams liking a midfielder who scores goals.

Howson cements his spot in the team over Ashley Westwood, who doesn’t have as much to his game as Howson does, which is why he misses out.

Albert Adomah

Adomah was another of Villa’s summer signings who decided to step down from the Premier League to play at Villa Park.

Adomah is direct and loves to run at defenders, with his blistering pace being a great help to him.

He is also very tricky and he can get past defenders in more than one way.

Adomah is a goal threat from out wide too, whilst still being able to create chances for the strikers.

Adomah gets the nod ahead of Norwich’s Murphy, who has had a fine start to the season but Adomah has more to his game.

Wes Hoolahan

Wes Hoolahan has enjoyed an eight year association with The Canaries which has seen him be hugely successful.

Hoolahan’s games is based largely on finding space behind the midfield to try and exploit the defence and this is something he does to great effect.

His creativity could be key for Norwich this season if they are to rediscover their early season form and climb the table.

Hoolahan gets his place ahead of Ross McCormack, who doesn’t have the same quality as Hoolahan in the attacking midfield position.

Robbie Brady

Brady has been influential since joining Norwich over a year ago, but unfortunately he couldn’t help the Canaries beat the drop last season.

Brady possesses a huge amount of quality from the wide areas, which has provided the Norwich strikers with some great chances.

He is also great from dead ball situations, and with Norwich having plenty of big players in the box, his delivery is crucial.

Brady gets the nod ahead on Jordan Ayew, whose quality isn’t as good as Brady and he doesn’t provide as much defensive security for the full back as Brady does.