Friday 15 September 2017 13:25, UK
Aston Villa were pre-season favourites for the Sky Bet Championship title but have made a poor start to the campaign, winning just one of their seven games so far.
Steve Bruce's side find themselves down in 18th place in the table as they head to Barnsley on Saturday - live on Sky Sports Football from 5.15pm - with 10 points already separating them and early leaders Leeds United.
But will they overcome a poor start to win promotion? Ahead of their trip to Oakwell, we asked Danny Higginbotham and David Prutton what Bruce needs to do to turn it around, and whether automatic promotion is still a realistic aim at Villa Park.
"There's no doubt that Villa have got a very good squad but it looks like their main problem is scoring goals, which is a little bit of a surprise considering the power they've got in attacking positions.
"Robert Snodgrass is a very talented player and his delivery from set-pieces and open play should be key. Jonathan Kodjia will also make a difference now he's back from injury.
"They've got a wealth of ability going forward, but also a lot of players to accommodate. In an ideal world, Bruce would like to have his perfect team, but the Championship is an unforgiving league and he'll need everyone over the course of the season.
"When Bruce first came to the club he did the things he wanted to do and I thought he was a perfect match. For whatever reason, it's not quite worked out so far, but there's been a big overhaul of players at the club and it may still take awhile.
"We've seen teams have poor starts in the Championship before and then go on runs and get themselves up the table, so there's no reason they can't still get promoted.
"One thing I would say is that it doesn't look like anyone is going to run away with it and there will be teams taking points off each other. But they need to get it together soon, like all the clubs down there.
"Every game they play they're expected to win and that brings huge pressure, but if they do manage to click then they're more than a match for anybody in that league."
"For Bruce it's about accommodating all their talented players and the expectation levels of everyone around him.
"He knows it's not a quick job but he, with his reputation and record, is the best man for them at this moment in time. I just like the way he goes about it. I don't want him to be successful just because he's a nice guy, but because he knows what he's doing.
"The squad he has at his disposal is ridiculous for the Championship, he just can't quite knit them together. It doesn't strike you as an ego-driven team at all, just a team that should be very capable at this level.
"It's incredible to think that Villa go into this game below Barnsley in the table. They're in marked contrast to the confidence that a side like Leeds will be feeling at the moment.
"It's still early days, but there are a lot of teams that can finish in the top six, and there are a lot of teams for them to battle their way through. But they should still be looking for promotion."
Don't miss Aston Villa's trip to Barnsley in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event from 5.15pm
