Here's to the departing old boys. Thanks for helping us up.

[SheffieldVillain]

Elmo would be a reliable back up I think. Taylor too. I'd be looking for new first choices in both positions but I think both have earned a place in the 25 next season.

Already got the French guy coming in at right back.
RB - Guilbert, AEH
LB - Sign Tierney (or equivalent), Taylor
CB - Sign Mings, Hause & Tuanzebe, Chester.

That's a solid set of options in defence. And only costing the odd 40m or so before moving onto the midfield and attack. Erm... Wes... Nassef?

[SoccerHQ]

Midfield is sorted pretty much, McGinn and Jack will always start when fit so there's two positions already sorted, Hourihane can be a back up. If we can find the new Ngolo Kante somewhere in europe that's a mid table premier league midfield no problem.

Of those to release I'd let go of Taylor, Nyland, Bree, Adomah, Jedinak,Kodjia, Whelan and Lansbury of our back up players. A fair few of those must be in last year of their deals now given we signed some of them in 2016. Add in obvious ones like McCormack and Hogan and that would be a huge chunk off our wage bill. It's important to be ruthless and we don't want our wage bill spiralling out of control like in the last few premier league seasons.

[ROBBO]

It will be interesting to watch how players adapt to the premiership it is a big step up, I would like a top marque signing just to make a statement that we mean business.

[Clark W Griswold]

I'm struggling to think of anyone i have a problem with that's played for us since 2016 other than Richards and McCormack. Those 2 should be put out in the stocks in front of the trinity for the first home game to be pelted with rancid vegetables, Richards can put his Jester hat on too.

I'll always be massively fond of Jedinak, Adomah, Kodjia and particularly Hutton but if any of them are in the team for next season i would be a bit worried. Whelan, Bree, Thor and Green get many thanks as well but likewise for them. Lansbury and Hogan surely will not be involved next season as they won't be required either.

[Richard E]

Alan Hutton will be immortalised as the last player ever to score in a league game between Villa and Small Heath.

[PeterWithesShin]

Alan Hutton will be immortalised as the last player ever to score in a league game between Villa and Small Heath.

Jack says hello.

[Richard E]

Alan Hutton will be immortalised as the last player ever to score in a league game between Villa and Small Heath.

Jack says hello.

Good point well made.

I meant at Villa Park, obviously;-)

[manic-road]

I'm expecting Bruce to sign a couple of those players leaving on frees.

[cdbearsfan]

I love all the players who played this season. Even the loan players seemed to get how big a club this was and gelled with the fans. I'd be happy to sign any of them but if we don't, thanks for playing your part in getting Villa backs of its knees and to where it belongs. ❤️

[chrisw1]

I've a feeling he make keep Whelan on board for 12 months, he played a huge role in our revival.

Elmo really stepped up and probably deserves a chance alongside the new guy.

Much improved as he has been, I'd move Taylor on.

I'm sure we'll sign Hause & Mings.  The article about Chester was worrying so I wonder if we'll also keep Elphick now?

[Ad@m]

There's no room for sentimentality here unless we want to go straight back down. Fulham spent £100m and were still miles off.

Plenty of this squad need to go - of yesterday's starting line up Elmo, Taylor and Adomah definitely aren't good enough. Steer, Hourihane and El Ghazi may not be but it's worth giving them a crack.

So as a minimum we need two Prem quality right backs, two left backs (one established, one youngster for each) and an upgrade on Adomah.

We need to sign Mings, Hause and ideally Abraham, El Ghazi and Tuanzebe and then move on anyone over the age of 23 who didn't start yesterday - if they're not good enough to start in the Championship they won't be good enough for the Prem.

I hope Smith's meticulous planning has stretched to scouting players for next season because there's a lot to do...

[cdbearsfan]

I think Taylor and Elmo are perfectly decent squad players. Elmo, in particular, was great yesterday.

I'd give Whelan another year, too.

[PeterWithesShin]

Elmo is fine as a squad player imo and we've already signed a RB.

[cdbearsfan]

Really hope Sky have got this wrong. Will be gutted if we lose Richards. Sign him up NOW!

www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11095/11730203/aston-villa-to-decide-on-the-future-of-several-out-of-contract-players

[PeterWithesShin]

It's weird how many places have Albert as being out of contract.