Aston Villa will need a massive season if they are to put last terms misery of relegation from the Premier League firmly behind them.
The Villains were relegated with a measly 17 points from their 38 top flight games during the 2015/16 campaign and an instant promotion back to the Premier League will be their immediate priority.
Italian boss Roberto Di Matteo has been tasked with reviving the Birmingham-based club’s fortunes and it will be imperative that he strengthens the squad, with several new faces expected at Villa Park.
In order for the ex-Chelsea boss to add to his current crop of players it looks inevitable that some of last season’s flops will be offloaded and only time will tell which players face the axe.
Football League World writer Lee Clarke takes a look at three players who will surely be binned by Aston Villa during the current transfer window.
Ashley Westwood
The central midfielder came under fire from certain sections of the Aston Villa support last season after a series of below-par performances.
The former Crewe Alexandra performer wasn’t firing on all cylinders last season and with Premier League new boys Burnley reportedly interested, Villa could be wise to sell.
The 26-year-old has played 121 times for the Villains during his four-year spell with the club but it seems unlikely that he will add to that tally during their maiden season in the Sky Bet Championship next season.
Carlos Sanchez
If you believe what you read in the newspapers then Villa midfielder Sanchez is a wanted man this summer, with clubs across Europe vying for his services.
Marseille in France are thought to be keen on signing the Colombian midfielder and a move out of Villa Park could actually work well for all parties.
The 30-year-old is not really the sort of player that Villa will be heavily reliant to perform week in, week out in the Championship and his departure could allow the club to give a proper run of games to midfielder Gary Gardner, who was impressive at Nottingham Forest last season.
Joleon Lescott
The ex-England central defender came under for the most criticism out of the entire Aston Villa squad last season, due to several below-par performances and a lack of disregard to the club’s struggles on the pitch.
Lescott’s performances last season do not warrant an instant return to the Premier League but his experience could tempt someone into signing the 33-year-old, although a more viable suitor is likely to be an American or Chinese club.
The ardent Villa supporters will be desperate to see Lescott leave the club this summer and the majority will be devastated if he lines-up in the Villa side that faces Sheffield Wednesday on the opening day of next season.
Aston Villa fans, do you agree that these three players will be sold this summer? Who else should join these three on the way out of Villa? Let us know in the comments below!!!