It has been a troublesome season for Aston Villa supporters and boss Steve Bruce will have a big rebuilding job on his hands during the summer, if he is to ensure that the 2017/18 campaign is a better one for the famous club.

Villa have not adapted well to life in the Championship following last season’s relegation and they had slipped dangerously close to the relegation zone at one point, leading to some fans calling for Bruce to be replaced.

Next season is likely to be a successful campaign for the club, with Bruce’s January signings already showing glimpses of what they can do out on the pitch.

Regardless of this season’s form the West Midlands-based club are undoubtedly a massive club and over the years they have seen some truly great players grace the Villa Park turf.

Football League World writer Lee Clarke looks at two players who thrived following their time at Villa Park.

Marc Albrighton

The industrious winger was a product of the youth academy at Villa Park yet he departed for Leicester City without ever really fulfilling his potential, with Albrighton failing to hold down a place in the team.

Since leaving the club the 27-year-old has gone from strength to strength at the Foxes, helping the East Midlands-based outfit to the Premier League title last season.

Villa might be wondering what might have been with the Tamworth-born player, but for whatever reason it simply never worked out during his time at Villa Park.

Curtis Davies

Davies signed for Villa from West Bromwich Albion in 2008 for a fee in the region of £9 million and the central defender was seen as a decent signing for the Villains.

Davies only made 37 appearances in three years with the club before departing for fierce rivals Birmingham in 2011.

After a couple of years with the Blues he moved to Hull City where he has become a mainstay in the team, made over 100 appearances and helped the club to promotion and an FA Cup Final.