Analysis

WATFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Danny Ings of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Watford and Aston Villa at Vicarage Road on August 14, 2021 in Watford, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

Squad decisions loom for Aston Villa ahead of Newcastle

Villa abysmal in 3-2 defeat at Watford

Match Preview: Aston Villa at Watford

How might Aston Villa line up at Watford?

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JULY 24: Matty Cash of Aston Villa looks on during the Pre-Season Friendly between Stoke City and Aston Villa at bet365 Stadium on July 24, 2021 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Villa topple Salernitana in preseason finale

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - JULY 31: Aston Villa's Jaden Philogene-Bidace and Bristol City's Kasey palmer during the pre-season friendly match between Bristol City v Aston Villa at Ashton Gate on July 31, 2021 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

Youngsters impress in preseason win at Bristol City

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JULY 24: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa is tackled by Ben Wilmot of Stoke City during a pre-season friendly match between Stoke City and Aston Villa at Britannia Stadium on July 24, 2021 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Aston Villa drop preseason fixture at Stoke

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Jack Grealish of Aston Villa runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Chelsea at Villa Park on May 23, 2021 in Birmingham, England. A limited number of fans will be allowed into Premier League stadiums as Coronavirus restrictions begin to ease in the UK following the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Where should Aston Villa play Jack Grealish?

WALSALL, ENGLAND - JULY 21: Emiliao Buendia of Aston Villa during the Pre Season Friendly between Walsall and Aston Villa at Banks's Stadium on July 21, 2021 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Aston Villa beat Walsall in preseason opener

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Dean Smith, Manager of Aston Villa acknowledges the fans prior to the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leicester City at Villa Park on December 08, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

U23 graduates and January Signings: Profiling Dean Smith’s New Players.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 08: Frederic Guilbert of Aston Villa scores the opening goal during the Carabao Cup Semi Final match between Leicester City and Aston Villa at The King Power Stadium on January 08, 2020 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Revamped Aston Villa Almost Stun Leicester in the Carabao Cup SF 1st Leg

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1163993514,1196044186 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Dean Smith, manager of Aston Villa (L) and Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Leicester City. Leicester City and Aston Villa meet in the first leg of the Carabao Cup Semi Final on January 8,2020. *** LEFT IMAGE*** WALSALL, ENGLAND - JULY 24: Dean Smith, manager of Aston Villa looks on prior to the Pre-Season Friendly match between Walsall and Aston Villa at Banks's Stadium on July 24, 2019 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Leicester City looks on prior to the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester City at American Express Community Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Carabao Cup SF Preview: Villa vs Leicester City

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa reacts during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Aston Villa at Turf Moor on January 01, 2020 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Villa “Fight Like Lions” to Pick up Vital Win over Burnley

WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Jack Grealish of Aston Villa battles for possession with Abdoulaye Doucour of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Aston Villa at Vicarage Road on December 28, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

Game Review: Villa 0-3 Watford

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Jack Grealish of Aston Villa celebrates with team-mates after Conor Hourihane scored the opening goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Norwich City at Villa Park on December 26, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

Game Preview: Villa vs Watford

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: John McGinn of Aston Villa celebrates with the trophy following his teams victory in the Sky Bet Championship Play-off Final match between Aston Villa and Derby County at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Top 5 Aston Villa Signings of the Decade

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Conor Hourihane of Aston Villa celebrates with team-mates after scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Norwich City at Villa Park on December 26, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

Biggest Takeaways: Villa 1-0 Norwich

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: Jonathan Kodija of Aston Villa looks dejected during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Southampton FC at Villa Park on December 21, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Match Reaction: Villa 1-3 Southampton

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 17: Jonathan Kodija of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal with Ahmed Elmohamady and Mahmoud Hassan during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Aston Villa and Liverpool FC at Villa Park on December 17, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Game Preview: Villa vs Southampton

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 17: Jonathan Kodija of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Aston Villa and Liverpool FC at Villa Park on December 17, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Carabao Cup QF: Villa 5-0 Liverpool

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Aston Villa players take part in a minute of applause in memory of Ron Saunders prior to the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leicester City at Villa Park on December 08, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Game Preview: Villa vs Sheffield United

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Dean Smith, Manager of Aston Villa acknowledges the fans prior to the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leicester City at Villa Park on December 08, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Villa’s festive schedule gives them the perfect opportunity to turn it all around

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: John McGinn of Aston Villa lifts the trophy and celebrates with his team mates following victory in the Sky Bet Championship Play-off Final match between Aston Villa and Derby County at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Current Aston Villa squad can banish the nightmare of 2015/2016

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and AFC Bournemouth at Villa Park on August 17, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

Points Wanted: Aston Villa host Everton in English Football’s most-played fixture

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Callum Wilson of AFC Bournemouth is tackled by Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and AFC Bournemouth at Villa Park on August 17, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Aston Villa vs. Bournemouth Player Ratings: 17 August 2019

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Anwar El Ghazi of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Aston Villa 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur: Player Ratings 10 August 2019

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Vincent Kompany of Manchester City lifts the Premier League Trophy after winning the title during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City at American Express Community Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Claret Villans 2019/2020 Premier League Season Predictions

SHREWSBURY, ENGLAND - JULY 21: Dean Smith the head coach / manager of Aston Villa during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Shrewsbury Town and Aston Villa at Montgomery Waters Meadow on July 21, 2019 in Shrewsbury, England. (Photo by Morgan Harlow/Getty Images)

What Does Success Look Like For Aston Villa In EPL Year One?