Villa’s first campaign in the second tier in twenty nine years came to its conclusion and it was always likely to be a difficult one given the utter disarray the club was in following 2015-16. 

An underwhelming managerial appointment followed by a rescue job by a Championship specialist meant more instability. Yet Villa built a large squad with players that should have been capable of an immediate return to the top flight. That alone was an achievement. 

With the team rejuvenated, the rotten wood shipped out, quick action in the boardroom preventing a second successive relegation Villa's first season in the Championship proves a qualified success. 

The run of draws under Robert Di Matteo followed by a torrid run under Steve Bruce in the early months of 2017 effectively put paid to any potential promotion prospects. 

Buttressed between those low points however was some genuinely excellent consistency and a feeling that Villa could make an immediate Premier League return as Steve Bruce delivered promotion winning form with 14 victories in 21  Championship matches.

On the debit side, a mystifying tendency to change the team from game to game seemed to rob Villa of a personality, a way of playing or even a consistent objective as suspicions remain that Steve Bruce isn't a strategy man.

Left back Jordan Amavi makes his final appearance for Villa aged 23 before moving on to Olympique Marseille for £9,000,000 in July 2018 after a season long loan. Amavi was one of the few highlights from the 2015 recruitment intake, sadly injuries robbed Villa of his services for most to the relegation season but despite him being head and shoulders in quality above the other arrivals who agitated, failed and moved on, Jordan stayed fully committed to the cause. Over his 2 seasons with Villa, Amavi made 48 appearances, including 9 as a substitute and left with a record of W15 D12 L21, 4 Assists and 8 Bookings.

Centre back Nathan Baker is sent off for the second time in his Villa career on his 122nd and final appearance for Villa (114 Starts) aged 26 before moving on to Bristol City for £3,900,000 in July 2017. Baker had come through the youth team ranks at Villa and after 9 seasons left with a record of W40 D25 L57, 15 Bookings and 2 Red Cards.

Neil Taylor contributes his 1st assist in a Villa shirt on his 14th appearance to make it W8 D2 L4, 1 Assist and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Leandro Bacuna makes his 100th start in a Villa shirt (139 Appearances) to make it W36 D30 L64, 7 Goals, 8 Assists, 26 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.