Analysis

TELFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 14: Conor Hourihane of Aston Villa during the Pre-season friendly between AFC Telford United and Aston Villa at New Bucks Head Stadium on July 14, 2018 in Telford, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Aston Villa have the personnel to utilize a high press system

5 days until Hull City: Projecting the Aston Villa opening XI

Aston Villa: Steve Bruce needs to trust Tommy Elphick this season

James Chester’s Top Flight Hopes Start and End with Aston Villa

PRESTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Steve Bruce manager of Aston Villa looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End and Aston Villa at Deepdale on November 1, 2017 in Preston, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

The Three Headed Lion: Top Questions for the Aston Villa Defense, Midfield, and Attack

TELFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 14: James Chester of Aston Villa during the Pre-season friendly between AFC Telford United and Aston Villa at New Bucks Head Stadium on July 14, 2018 in Telford, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

3-back system not the way forward for Aston Villa

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Ritchie De Laet of Villa looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest at Villa Park on September 11, 2016 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Ritchie De Laet making waves during Aston Villa pre-season

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 16: Ross McCormack looks on during a Melbourne City A-League training session on November 16, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Aston Villa: Bruce and McCormack’s lack of communication is beyond petty

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JULY 29: Jed Steer of Aston Villa during the pre season friendly match between Aston Villa and Watford at Villa Park on July 29, 2017 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images)

Aston Villa’s three-headed goalkeeper competition will have to do

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 06: Anthony Grant of Peterborough United is blocked by Callum O'Hare of Aston Villa during the The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Aston Villa and Peterborough United at Villa Park on January 6, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Aston Villa: Steve Bruce can relieve pressure at club by trusting youth

IPSWICH, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Aston Villa Manager Steve Bruce on the touchline during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Aston Villa at Portman Road on April 21, 2018 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

Aston Villa: An analysis of Steve Bruce’s time as manager

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 15: James Chester of Aston Villa controls the ball as Jonny Howson of Middlesbrough chases during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final second leg match between Aston Villa and Middlesbrough at Villa Park on May 15, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Aston Villa defense set to regress heavily after personnel losses

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Ahmed Elmohamady of Aston Villa in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Reading at Villa Park on April 3, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Grading Aston Villa right backs in the 2017/2018 season

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 26: Mile Jedinak of Aston Villa consoles Jonathan Kodija of Aston Villa following their sides defeat in the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Final between Aston Villa and Fulham at Wembley Stadium on May 26, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Aston Villa vs. Fulham: Player ratings from the EFL Championship play-off final

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: John Terry of Aston Villa and Sam Johnstone of Aston Villa celebrate victory together after the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Reading at Villa Park on April 3, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Staying or Leaving Aston Villa Football Club: Goalkeepers

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Sam Johnstone of Aston Villa celebrates his sides victory after the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final First Leg match between Middlesbrough and Aston Villa at Riverside Stadium on May 12, 2018 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Grading Aston Villa goalkeeper play in the 2017/2018 season

COLCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Aston Villa goalkeeper Jed Steer celebrates with Andre Green after saving a penalty during the Carabao Cup First Round match between Colchester United and Aston Villa at Colchester Community Stadium on August 9, 2017 in Colchester, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Aston Villa: Andre Green needs to prove himself all over again

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Alan Hutton of Aston Villa battles for possession with Adama Traore of Middlesbrough and Mile Jedinak of Aston Villa during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final:Second Leg match between Aston Villa and Middlesbrough at Villa Park on May 15, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Aston Villa vs. Fulham: Ranking Advantages, Position-by-Position

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Villa player Jack Grealish in action during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final First Leg match between Middlesbrough and Aston Villa at Riverside Stadium on May 12, 2018 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Aston Villa player grades: Villa upend Middlesbrough in semi-final play-off

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Mark Bunn of Villa looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest at Villa Park on September 11, 2016 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Aston Villa: Could goalkeeper Mark Bunn be a play-off X-Factor?

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: James Chester of Aston Villa in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Reading at Villa Park on April 3, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Aston Villa player ratings: Villa close out with Millwall defeat

IPSWICH, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Aston Villa Manager Steve Bruce on the touchline during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Aston Villa at Portman Road on April 21, 2018 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

Aston Villa player ratings: Villa vs. Derby County – April 28

IPSWICH, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Lewis Grabban of Aston Villa celebrates scoring the second goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Aston Villa at Portman Road on April 21, 2018 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

Aston Villa player ratings: Villa vs. Ipswich Town – April 21

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Jack Grealish of Aston Villa in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Reading at Villa Park on April 3, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Aston Villa Player Ratings: Norwich City torch claret and blue fullbacks

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JULY 29: Manager of Aston Villa Steve Bruce during the pre season friendly match between Aston Villa and Watford at Villa Park on July 29, 2017 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images)

Aston Villa player grades: Team held scoreless at Hull City

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Steve Bruce, Manager of Aston Villa applauds the crowd after the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Aston Villa at St Andrews on October 29, 2017 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

What will the future hold should Aston Villa fail in promotion bid?

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 06: Callum O'Hare of Aston Villa in action during the Emirates FA Cup third round match between Aston Villa and Peterborough United at Villa Park on January 6, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Aston Villa’s thriving academy offers future first team hope

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Steve Bruce manager of Aston Villa holds his hands on his head during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers at Villa Park on March 13, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images,)

Tactical ineptitude plagues Aston Villa against Bolton Wanderers