After suffering relegation from the Premier League, Aston Villa will have to be smart if they want a quick return to the top flight.

With several big names looking for an easy escape, Roberto Di Matteo will have to blood in some of the youngsters if he wants a competitive squad.

Key players such as Jordan Ayew, Jordan Veretout and Carlos Sanches are already close to exits, with more seemingly to follow, and Roberto Di Matteo has already taken actions to combat this, by splashing the cash on Reading's talented midfielder Aaron Tshibola.

It's going to be a crucial year for Aston Villa's youngsters, and Roberto Di Matteo is a manager renowned for giving game time to youngsters, most notably handing a young Ryan Bertrand his Champions League debut in the final during his time at Chelsea.

Here are THREE Aston Villa wonderkids who will be vital next season.....

 

Aaron Tshibola

 It's clear to see how highly rated the young midfielder is by the fact Roberto Di Matteo was prepared to spend £5.5 million to snatch him away from Reading, after just 20 professional appearances at Championship level.

Quick, powerful and calm on the ball, Tshibola has all the hallmarks of the ultimate modern midfielder, and you can expect him to be literally at the centre of Di Matteo's plans next season.

Adama Traore

The former Barcelona man was one of the only positives that Villa fans could have taken out of their disastrous season last campaign.

Blessed with extraordinary pace and sublime dribbling skills, Traore looked like a sensational talent at times, terrorising full backs with some top notch performances.

Although his season was plagued with inconsistency, it's clear to see he has talent, and will be the jewel in the crown of this Aston Villa side next season.

Jack Grealish

The 20-year-old developed into one of the Premier League's hottest properties during the 2014/15 season, but last campaign his form nosedived and both Tim Sherwood and Remi Garde failed to tame his behavioural problems.

However, Roberto Di Matteo will be confident that he can keep his feet on the ground this season coming, and if he can get the youngster back to top form then he should have no problem guiding Villa back to the Premier League.