Aston Villa are a club who are currently in a recovery period; after their dismal campaign of 2015/16.
Villa had not been relegated from the Premier League at any point since its reform in 1993 - that stat changed however, as they were deservedly relegated from the top flight.
Only picking up 17 points and 3 wins in the league last season, the way the team were relegated from the top flight was humiliating and embarrassing for all of the Villa Park faithful.
However, the Villains will be hoping that they can now start afresh as they prepare for a season in the unfamiliar territory of the Sky Bet Championship; with a new manager and a new chairman at the helm of the club.
Roberto Di Matteo, who not so long ago won the Champions League as a manager is the new man in the hot seat at the club, and Chinese business man Xia Jiantong is the new Chairman/Owner at the Midlands club.
Villa have already made some big money signings, and the fan-base which is not used to seeing a failing team will be demanding that they are promoted to the top flight at the first time of asking.
In this article, Football League World writer Jack Sharp looks at the Aston Villa XI which will surely secure them the Sky Bet Championship title at the end of the upcoming campaign.....
GK: Pierluigi Gollini
Gollini is a 21-year-old goalkeeper who arrived at Villa Park earlier this transfer window, joining on a four-year-deal from Serie A side Hellas Verona.
He was a youth player at Fiorentina before moving to Premier League giants Manchester United in 2012, however the talented 'keeper didn't make a senior appearance for the club.
The 6' 2" player has made 44 career appearances, with 29 of them coming in the Premier Division of Italian football.
With the emerging news that Brad Guzan is set to be leaving Villa Park as part of a clear-out at the club; Gollini who has represented Italy at four youth levels would seem to be guaranteed to be in-between the sticks for Villa come the sixth of August.
RB: Alan Hutton
When Villa kick off their season away to Sheffield Wednesday on the 6th of August, it looks certain that Alan Hutton will be positioned in the right back slot.
Hutton, who joined the Villains' in 2011, has made 99 appearances for the club - during that time he has scored one goal, and assisted four.
The 31-year-old's previous clubs include the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Rangers; all in all Hutton has made a total of 294 career appearances.
The Scottish international is contracted at Villa until the summer of 2017.
CB: Tommy Elphick
Tommy Elphick is a traditional centre back who joined Aston Villa at the very start of this transfer window from Premier League side AFC Bournemouth.
Elphick joined the club on a three-year deal, and the 27-year-old who had a spell at Brighton prior to joining Bournemouth, looks certain to be part of a new look central defensive partnership at Villa Park for the upcoming season.
The 5' 10" defender has a wealth of experience in the Sky Bet Championship making 85 appearances in the division - Elphick was the captain of the Bournemouth side who secured promotion from the Championship in the 14/15 season.
CB: Ciaran Clark
Ciaran Clark was moved from the Aston Villa U21 team to the senior squad in 2009 - and since then has been an absolute stalwart for the club; making 159 competitive senior appearances.
It would be ludicrous to consider Clark not being part of Di Matteo's plans - as he is such a fan favourite at the club.
The 26-year-old represented England at four youth levels, however has represented the Republic Of Ireland at senior level, making 19 appearances for the Boys In Green.
Clark is contracted at the club until 2020, and could form a formidable defensive partnership with Tommy Elphick.
LB: Jordan Amavi
At the beginning of last season, Jordan Amavi was one of Aston Villa's brightest sparks; however the talented 22-year-old injured his cruciate knee ligament during a France U21's match in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
Up to that point, Amavi - who is contracted at the club until 2020, had made 10 league appearances and was looking like a very talented prospect; attacking with skill and precision.
Amavi is now returning to full fitness, and if he can recuperate his form and expand on the glimpses of excellence he showed last season, he could be a vital part of Villa's squad.
RM: Adama Traoré
Adama Traoré, sometimes better known as just 'Adama' is a 21-year-old startlet who joined Aston Villa last summer from Spanish giants FC Barcelona.
Adama, who is renowned for his raw pace and skill, endured a tough time with injuries in his debut campaign at Villa, as he was restricted to only making 18 appearances throughout the campaign, scoring one goal and assisting a further two.
Although Adama hasn't had the chance to really prove himself, he possesses the capabilities to shine massively in the Championship next season.
CM: Aaron Tshibola
Tshibola is an extremely talented 21-year-old midfielder who has recently arrived at Villa Park from Reading; joining Villa on a four-year-deal.
Tshibola, who is renowned for having a plethora of speed, strength and power signed for Aston Villa for quite a substantial fee.
He was developed in the Reading Academy which is renowned for producing successful players: Hal Robson Kanu, Gylfi Sigurdsson etc...
Tshibola, who has represented England at U18 level, will be hoping that he can prove that he is worthy of his price tag, and that Di Matteo was correct to take a risk on someone so inexperienced.
CM: Ashley Westwood
One of the brightest sparks of a terrible campaign for the Villains' last term, all Villa fans will be hoping that Westwood is among the team that begin the season at Hillsborough in just under a month.
Westwood, who joined Villa in 2012, has made 139 appearances for the club, scoring 5 goals and making 13 assists.
Very versatile, Westwood can do a job as a defensive midfielder or a central midfielder, to an excellent standard.
Although the 26-year-old is vastly experienced, he has never made an appearance in the Sky Bet Championship - which could be problematic in the upcoming campaign.
LM: Jack Grealish
Grealish is an unbelievable prospect; however his potential hasn't materialised due to bad luck with injuries.
The 20-year-old who predominately plays as a left sided midfield who is renowned for tight dribbling ability and a good amount of pace, has been at Villa for his whole career bar a short loan spell with Notts County.
He has made 95 senior professional appearances, scoring 6 goals and assisting 7 during this time.
Grealish represented the Republic of Ireland at U17,U18 and U21 levels, however when he had to decide on his future International allegiance he chose England, and is now an U21 International for the Three Lions.
If Grealish can remain injury free; he could have a huge season ahead of him.
ST: Jonathan Kodjia
This is a potential transfer for Villa, as the 26-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to the club.
This is a move which could be a real possibility; as Jordan Ayew is continuously linked with a move away from Villa Park.
Kodjia, who currently plays for Bristol City scored 18 goals and made 3 assists in the Sky Bet Championship last campaign; the powerful forward was a massive reason why Lee Johnson's men survived the drop.
If Di Matteo can pull this move off, it would be a massive statement of intent from the club.
ST: Patrick Bamford
Bamford has been linked with Villa on a loan deal, and it could be a seriously shrewd move for the club.
Bamford is still a player at London giants Chelsea, although he has been surplus at the club for a while now; only really getting game time when going out loan spells. He has recently had spells at clubs like Middlesborough, Crystal Palace and most recently Norwich City.
The 22-year-old impressed so much during a loan spell with Middlesborough in the 2014/15 season, scoring 17 goals in 38 league games, that he was awarded the Championship Player Of The Year award.
It has been rumoured that this move is off; however it could reemerge, a player like Barmford that all in all has 25 goals in 61 Championship appearances, such a good pedigree in the Championship could be a shrewd signing for the club should the move reimburse.
So.. Aston Villa fans, what do you think of this Starting XI? Could it challenge for the Sky Bet Championship title? How will Di Matteo do in his first season at the club? Leave thoughts and opinions below!