Aston Villa are one of the most successful teams in English football history, but are set to play in the Championship after their first ever relegation from the English Premier League last season.
2015-16 was all doom and gloom for the Villans, with Tim Sherwood starting the campaign as manager and sacked by late October. Frenchman Remi Garde was next given the task of saving the season, but he was sacked before May when it was all too little, too late for the Lions.
They finished in 20th position, with a total of 17 points after a dismal run that included only three wins, eight draws and 27 defeats. Villa was shocking in defence, conceding a total of 76 goals which resulted in a final goal difference of -49.
Now they play in potentially the most unpredictable, physical and challenging league in the world.
During the summer, the Villans have undergone some major changes, including a new owner in the form of Chinese businessman Dr Tony Jiantong Xia.
Roberto Di Matteo has also been named the new manager, and along with new staff across the club, they have a fresh vision.
For Villa fans, they are hoping these changes will be for the best, however, some preseason results have suggested that the same on-field issues may still be hanging around.
Di Matteo has only purchased three players so far this pre-season but is taking his time with picking the right names rather than rushing. Tommy Elphick seems to be the best buy so far, the centre-back captained Bournemouth to promotion in the 2014-15 Championship season.
The next arrival was Pierluigi Gollini, a 21-year-old goalkeeper from Italy who replaces Brad Guzan (leaving on a free transfer to Middlesborough) and will compete with Mark Bunn for the No.1 spot between the posts.
However, this is more of a buy for the future, as Gallini is quite young for a gloveman to be starting in the Championship. Despite that, he has looked comfortable enough during preseason, particularly when on the ball and with his distribution, so it may not be a surprise for fans to see Di Matteo start the young Italian.
Their latest signing during this transfer window is 21-year old Aaron Tshibola, a young midfielder brought in from Reading. Tshibola has looked comfortable in the recent games, but it will be interesting to see how he goes when the intensity rises at the start of the campaign proper.
Onto the opening weekend, and it probably does not get much more difficult for their first game in the Championship then facing defeated playoff finalists Sheffield Wednesday, at a tough ground to travel to in Hillsborough.
Villa will need to shut down the Owls variety of attacking options, while also finding a way to create chances for themselves too.
Another couple of signings will bolster the ranks, particularly a new striker and creative-midfielder. Fulham forward Ross McCormack has been heavily linked, a move which seems as if it would please most fans.
Villa will more than likely be in for a big surprise when it comes to squad depth too, as they will be playing 46 games in the Championship season, with cup fixtues added on top.
It certainly will be tough, and unless they get rid of the deadwood that contributed to their demise over the last few seasons as well as bringing some key players in, then it is hard to see them going straight back up.
Promotion is their goal, but at the moment, a mid-table finish may await disappointed Villa fans. With the nature of the Championship, even reaching the playoffs may be too much to ask for this season for Di Matteo and his men, unless they can get together a stronger squad on the pitch.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
