Aston Villa are struggling to pick up form in the Championship of late and the pressure on manager Steve Bruce continues to build, after their tumble down the table.

Their fans here in the Tavern are growing more and more concerned with what’s going on at Villa Park, and despite a managerial change and a squad overhaul, results still aren’t picking up.

Owner Tony Xia has thrown tens of millions of pounds revamping the side and still, the team are being beaten comfortably week-in, week-out and this could quickly turn into a relegation dogfight rather than a fight for promotion.

The loss over Barnsley last weekend was seriously poor and it’s clear that if results are to turn around, the team might have to change a little too.

So with that in mind, and after some consultation with our hardcore Villa fans here in the Tavern, here’s the XI we think should start the game against Derby County this weekend…

GK: Sam Johnstone

Manchester United loanee Sam Johnstone had a rocky start to life in the Midlands, but he seems to have sttled and now looks a lot more assured between the sticks.

His defence have been poor in recent weeks and he’ll be hoping for more protection as the season grows.

RB: Alan Hutton

Scottish international Alan Hutton is back in the first-team but is failing to make an impact going forward.

Villa’s reliance on their forward players has increased tenfold due to Hutton’s form going down and he needs to definitely pick it up as the season grows older.

CB: James Chester

A summer signing from West Brom, James Chester will have undoubtedly hoped for better when he moved across the City.

His performances have been decent, if not a little underwhelming and he certainly still needs to win over the Villa support from here until the end of the season.

CB: Nathan Baker

Goals have been flying in over the past few weeks and again, like Chester, whilst Baker hasn’t been playing particularly badly, he needs to pick it up if Villa are to climb the table.

The Villa fans here in the pub like the local lad but he needs a couple of strong games if he’s to remain onside with the home faithful.

LB: Jordan Amavi

Jordan Amavi is certainly one of the best left-backs in the division but he’s had a couple of bad games now, and his popularity amongst the Villa support is slowly beginning to dip.

He’ll be one of the highest earners in the squad, but he needs to pick it up and show what he can do once again.

RM: Albert Adomah

Former Bristol City winger Albert Adomah has the potential to really carry this Villa side from the flank but he’s not doing enough to take his side forward of late.

The Villa supporters here in the Tavern seem to agree and think he’s the sort of player who can help form turnaround if he gets a couple of decent games under his belt.

CM: Conor Hourihane

A January signing from Barnsley, Conor Hourihane hasn’t quite had the flying start he would have hoped for but he’s certainly one for the future and a player who, in time, can be a real star for Villa.

He’s highly rated and well-liked amongst the Villa contingent here in the pub but he needs to have more of an impact in games if he’s to become a real fan favourite.

CM: Henri Lansbury

Another January signing, Henri Lansbury has shown Championship supporters how good he can be when given the right service, but he’s a player that seems to be suffering from a little stage fright of late.

He needs to get his head right and realise the calibre of the club he’s now playing for.

LM: Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish’s quiet season continues and his lack of development in one of the biggest seasons of his career is worrying some of the Villa locals in the pub.

He’s a player that’s blessed with skill going forward but at times, he just needs to get a little more involved.

ST: Jonathan Kodjia

Arguably Villa’s biggest player at the moment, Jonathan Kodjia is being heavily relied upon to get goals for his side.

If they are to climb the table and start winning games, he needs to start scoring on a regular basis once again.

He did it week-in, week-out for Bristol City and now he needs to start doing the same for Villa.

ST: Gabby Agbonlahor

The striker could be given a starting berth against Derby County.

His pace and strength can make him a nuisance, but as our landlord quips, Gabby’s best days are certainly behind him.