Aston Villa are still in the hunt for promotion in the Sky Bet Championship, with Steve Bruce’s side targeting a top-flight return between now and the end of the season.

Indifferent form over recent weeks has seen Villa slip from serious automatic promotion contention, and although they still have an outside chance of crashing the top-two, the play-offs are looking the most likely route for Bruce’s side.

An impressive result against Reading last night will have lifted morale at Villa Park, with Bruce’s side returning to winning ways emphatically by recording a 3-0 victory over the Royals.

Bruce will be hoping that the victory against last season’s beaten play-off finalists can be the spark his side needs to kick on, but promotion will still be a tough ask.

Whatever division Villa are playing their football in next season, Bruce will be tinkering with his playing squad, with arrivals and departures both expected.

With that in mind, we take a look at THREE players who are hanging by a thread at Villa Park…

Bree is a difficult player to judge, as he has potential but is clearly not trusted by Bruce.

Even when Villa have had injury problems this season, Bruce was reluctant to use Bree, which won’t fill the youngster with any confidence.

Villa would be foolish to let Bree leave, but the defender will surely be wondering if he has a future in claret and blue.

Lansbury is another who can cut it in the Championship, but Bruce hasn’t placed much faith in him this season.

The midfielder was back out of the side against Reading last night, with Conor Hourihane and Jack Grealish the clear favourites in an advanced midfield role.

Between now and the end of the season, Lansbury needs to prove his worth to Bruce, but with opportunities looking limited, it might be difficult.

Elphick impressed in claret and blue when injuries hit Bruce’s squad over the festive period, however, he was still shipped out on-loan to Reading.

Injury has now hit the defender, who has barely featured for Reading.

When he returns to Villa Park in the summer, it will be interesting to see what path Elphick’s career takes next.