Aston Villa have not taken to life in the Championship quite how they would have liked and have collected just five points from as many games so far.

They went into the international break on the back of a mightily disappointing 3-1 reverse at the hands of Bristol City and boss Roberto Di Matteo has plenty of work to do, if he is to revive the club’s fortunes.

Villa have been active in the transfer market this summer and their Italian boss has strengthened his squad with no fewer than nine new additions, with a large amount of pressure now on the boss to get the best out of his new group.

With promotion on the agenda for the club’s new owners, Di Matteo will know that he can ill-afford anymore poor results if he is to adhere to the hierarchy and their season remit.

Football League World writer Lee Clarke takes a look at three Aston Villa players who are underrated members of the squad.

Rudy Gestede

Gestede

The former Blaackburn Rovers striker didn’t have the best first year at Villa Park after arriving last summer, with the target men netting just seven times.

His value to the team in the second tier should not be underestimated though and he has already chipped in with two goals so far this season.

The Frenchman will be lethal if played in the right areas and after adding some quality width in Albert Adomah during the transfer window, Villa must ensure that he now gets the right level of service in the coming months.

Ashley Westwood

Westwood

Westwood came in for some heavy criticism last season after some abject displays in the Premier League, with his performances average to say the least.

He has played in every single one of Villa’s Championship games however and boss Di Matteo clearly sees something in the former Crewe man to persist with him in the side.

Westwood is clearly talented and is perhaps suffering from a confidence crisis at present. With the right amount of game time he may well become a key component of Villa’s team this season.

James Chester

chesterrr

Chester could well be the most important signing Aston Villa make all season and after performing well for Wales in Euro 2016 becomes something of a coup for the club.

The former West Bromwich Albion man was a shock signing for Villa at the start of the campaign and he will be looking to hold down a central defensive berth, after a frustrating season with the Baggies where he played right-back most of the time.

Chester is solid and composed and his level of leadership will be crucial to Roberto Di Matteo’s side over the course of the campaign.

Aston Villa fans, are there any other players who you think are more underrated than these three? Who else should be on the list? Let us know in the comments below!!!