Analysis

MURCIA, SPAIN - JULY 14: Tyrone Mings of AFC Bournemouth reacts during Pre- Season friendly Match between Sevilla FC and AFC Bournemouth at La Manga Club on July 14, 2018 in Murcia, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Aston Villa’s reliance on loan system should end for long-term success

Aston Villa 3-1 Nottingham Forest: Villa Win 3rd in a Row

Second City Derby Victory: Aston Villa Player Ratings vs. Birmingham City

Aston Villa 1-0 Birmingham City: Grealish assaulted, Blues embarrassed

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Neil Taylor of Aston Villa rides a tackle from Lukas Jutkiewicz of Birmingham City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Birmingham City at Villa Park on November 25, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

What to Watch for in the Second City Derby

WIGAN, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Kortney Hause of Aston Villa questions his team mate during the Sky Bet Championship match between Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa at DW Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Aston Villa Defense: Elphick Injury, Hause Money, and the Return of Jedi?

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Jack Grealish of Aston Villa walks out onto the pitch with a mascot during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Birmingham City at Villa Park on November 25, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Aston Villa Points Predictor: March 2019

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13: Tammy Abraham of Aston Villa lines up his wall during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Aston Villa at Griffin Park on February 13, 2019 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Aston Villa: a 3-4-1-2 formation can earn three points on Saturday

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13: Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa chats with team mate Tommy Elphick during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Aston Villa at Griffin Park on February 13, 2019 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Aston Villa FC play-off chances dip into single digits

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Dean Smith manager of Aston Villa looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Stoke City at Villa Park on December 15, 2018 in Birmingham, England.

Aston Villa 0-0 Reading: Player Ratings from the Madejski

WIGAN, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Dean Smith manager of Aston Villa looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa at DW Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Deflating period but patience is required from Aston Villa fans

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Anwar El Ghazi of Aston Villa is mobbed by team mates after scoring to make it 5-4 during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest at Villa Park on November 28, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Aston Villa Points Predictor: February 2019

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Tammy Abraham of Aston Villa scores to make it 4-4 during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest at Villa Park on November 28, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Middle of the EFL Championship table incredibly tight as clubs jostle for position

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Anwar El Ghazi of Aston Villa during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Leeds United at Villa Park on December 23, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Aston Villa 2-2 Hull City: Wild second-half sparks shared points

HULL, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: James Chester of Aston Villa and Abel HernÃ¡ndez battle for control of the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Aston Villa at KCOM Stadium on March 31, 2018 in Hull, England. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)

Focus and Effort Required of Aston Villa vs Hull City

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Joe Rodon and Kyle Naughton of Swansea City argues with Jonathan Kodjia of Aston Villa during the FA Cup Third Round match between Aston Villa and Swansea City at Villa Park on January 5, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Aston Villa 0-3 Swansea: Player ratings in FA Cup third-round defeat

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Neil Taylor of Aston Villa controls the ball during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Burton Albion and Aston Villa at Pirelli Stadium on August 28, 2018 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Neil Taylor and Axel Tuanzebe absences hitting Aston Villa where it hurts

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Anwar El Ghazi of Aston Villa celebrates with Jack Grealish and is mobbed by team mates after scoring to make it 5-4 during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest at Villa Park on November 28, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Aston Villa Points Predictor: January 2019

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Conor Hourihane of Aston Villa reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Leeds United at Villa Park on December 23, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Aston Villa 2-2 Queens Park Rangers: Player Ratings on New Year’s Day

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Tammy Abraham of Aston Villa reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Leeds United at Villa Park on December 23, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Aston Villa 1-0 Swansea City: Player Ratings on Boxing Day victory

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Jack Grealish of Aston Villa walks out onto the pitch with a mascot during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Birmingham City at Villa Park on November 25, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Aston Villa: Jack Grealish shin injury comes at most inopportune time

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Dean Smith manager of Aston Villa looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Stoke City at Villa Park on December 15, 2018 in Birmingham, England.

Aston Villa vs. Leeds United – Predicted Starting XI – Dec. 23rd

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Dean Smith, Manager of Aston Villa talks to Tammy Abraham of Aston Villa during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Swansea City at Villa Park on October 20, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Run of results for Aston Villa under Dean Smith shouldn’t be understated

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Aston Villa Manager Dean Smith looks on ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa at The Hawthorns on December 7, 2018 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Ranking Aston Villa’s Biggest January 2018 Transfer Needs

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Dean Smith manager of Aston Villa looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Stoke City at Villa Park on December 15, 2018 in Birmingham, England.

Aston Villa 2-2 Stoke City: Player Ratings From Wild Second-Half Finish

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Anwar El Ghazi of Aston Villa celebrates with his team after scoring their second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa at The Hawthorns on December 7, 2018 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Aston Villa 2-2 West Bromwich Albion: Player ratings following controversy

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Albert Adomah of Aston Villa with the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Swansea City at Villa Park on October 20, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Aston Villa: Extending Albert Adomah’s contract is not necessary

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Anwar El Ghazi of Aston Villa celebrates with Jack Grealish and is mobbed by team mates after scoring to make it 5-4 during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest at Villa Park on November 28, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Aston Villa 3-0 Middlesbrough: Player Ratings at Riverside Stadium