Since exiting the Premier League for the first time in the competition’s 24 year history, Aston Villa have been largely underwhelming in the Sky Bet Championship.

Despite spending millions of their parachute payments on a wealth of proven Championship talent, the Villains languish in mid table, and another season in the second tier beckons.

Villa have put together an impressive squad at this level over the last couple of transfer windows, and their striking duo of Jonathan Kodjia and Scott Hogan cost a hefty fee.

The addition of midfielders Conor Hourihane and Henri Lansbury in January saw the squad grow, and the turn of the year has also seen an upturn in form for the side from the West Midlands.

Villa fans will undoubtedly look to put this season behind them, and will expect their side to challenge for promotion back to the top flight next time out.

With the players that he has signed thus far, manager Steve Bruce has set a distinct tone for signing top players from Championship rivals, and the aforementioned Hogan, Kodjia, Hourihane and Lansbury were all considered the top performers at their previous respective clubs.

Bruce will look to pluck the best players in the Championship from their sides once more this summer, and here we have identified TWO stars who will surely attract the attention of Bruce this summer.

Tom Cairney

This campaign will undoubtedly be regarded as Fulham’s best since their demotion from the top flight in 2014. The Cottagers are on the verge of a play off spot, and a couple of wins from their final three fixtures should secure a top six finish.

Tom Cairney has been with Fulham since 2015 after joining from strugglers Blackburn Rovers, and the midfielder has established himself as the main man in Fulham’s midfield. The player has performed phenomenally this season, and football statistic website, Squawka, rates the player as the best player in the division this season. Cairney was recognised for his performances by the PFA, and was recently named in the Championship Team of the Year. Cairney deserves all of the plaudits that come his way, and if Fulham fail to gain promotion this year, a whole host of clubs will be sniffing around the one time Scotland international.

Aston Villa will be one of these teams. The club will be well funded once again, and Cairney will not come on the cheap. The player still has two years remaining on his Fulham contract, and the Cottagers will fight to keep their prized asset at the Cottage this season. With youngster, Ryan Sessegnon, another potentially on the move this summer, Fulham will look to cash in on any player they are resigned to lose. Cairney would add additional quality to Villa’s midfield, and if Bruce is serious about escaping the division, then Cairney should be a man on his transfer wish list.

Tom Ince

Another player who would add serious quality to Villa is Derby’s Tom Ince. Son of former England star, Paul, young Ince has been on the scene for several years now, and has been linked with a number of moves away from Pride Park. Thus far, no Premier League teams have taken a punt on the wide man, but with Derby struggling this season and falling short of the play off places, Bruce may swoop to offer the player a fresh challenge and a crack at promotion next season.

Ince is a technically sound player, and with the arsenal of attacking talents at bruce’s disposal, would provide the ammunition for the likes of Scott Hogan and Jonathan Kodjia to find the back of the net. Both of the forwards are natural finishers, so the quality Ince offers from the wide positions would present the pair with a plethora of opportunity.

Ince was linked with a move to second place, Newcastle United, in January in a reported £8 million move, so Villa should expect to be quoted a similar fee this summer. Such a price would not put off the Villa Park side, and Bruce will spend again to ensure he has the strongest squad in the decision.

If Ince were to be brought into the club, Villa would be favourites for promotion.