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 added 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.

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. But 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.

However, that Villa, by 2017, had seen the back of the vast majority of the 2015-16 squad, was in itself a significant achievement but the team that remained could and should have achieved more.

Left back Jordan Amavi made 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.

Centre back Nathan Baker made his final appearance for Villa 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 had made 122 appearances and one goal.