Five Aston Villa players who have struggled this season

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Despite spending millions, Aston Villa’s squad haven’t all performed to their best this season.

It’s been a disappointing season so far for Aston Villa fans, as the club currently sit 19 points away from the play-off places. After Robert Di Matteo’s departure, many thought Steve Bruce would be able to kick the side into gear and push for promotion, but the Villans haven’t won since Boxing Day, with the club looking to have missed out on any chance of promotion this season.

So which players have disappointed Villa fans the most this season? HITC Sport have compiled a list of five contenders, but did we get it right?

1. Ross McCormack

Aston Villa’s Ross McCormack

Signed by Robert Di Matteo in the summer, Aston Villa fans were largely expecting Ross McCormack to be the man who could fire Villa straight back up to the Premier League. However, after losing his place to striker Jonathan Kodijia, McCormack fell out of favour with new boss Steve Bruce, and has now been sent off on loan to Nottingham Forest for the rest of the season. With Scott Hogan now at Villa, is there a way back into this side for Ross McCormack?

2. Aaron Tshibola

Aston Villa’s Aaron Tshibola

Another big summer signing, Aston Villa fans were expecting Aaron Tshibola to take the league by storm, after the midfielder impressed massively during his time at Reading. However, Tshibola has struggled to make an impact at Villa Park, especially under Steve Bruce, and with the signings of Henri Lansbury and Conor Hourihane in January, Tshibola was also shipped out on loan to Nottingham Forest.

3. Pierluigi Gollini

Pierluigi Gollini of Aston Villa

The exciting young goalkeeper had a tricky start to life under Roberto Di Matteo, but it was the Italian manager’s departure that seemed to knock the final nail into Gollini’s time at Villa Park. Despite all the furore around his signing, the Italian keeper has now joined Atlanta on loan until 2018, with Steve Bruce bringing in former Manchester United goalie Sam Johnstone on loan as his replacement.

4. Alan Hutton

Aston Villa’s Alan Hutton

Fighting off competition from new signing Richie De Laet, Alan Hutton has done well to keep his place in the Aston Villa side under Steve Bruce. However, the defender’s performances of late have been forcing Villa fans to put their heads in their hands, as the right-back appears to be again channelling the defending many saw during Villa’s disastrous last season in the Premier League.

5. Tommy Elphick

Tommy Elphick of Aston Villa

Villa fans were delighted to see the club bring in Bournemouth defender Tommy Elphick at the beginning of the season. Elphick had been a huge part of Bournemouth’s success in recent years, and with promotion experience under his belt, he looked like the right man to have at the back for the Villans. However, Elphick, like so many other new Villa signings, has struggled to nail down a place in Steve Bruce’s side, and now can’t get in the team ahead of James Chester and Nathan Baker.