Now the dust has settled on yet another Premier League season, it’s time to reflect on what was a below-par one for Aston Villa.
A 14th place finish is far from what anyone envisioned at the start of the year.
After a club record signing in Emiliano Buendia, a proven goalscorer landed in Danny Ings and the exciting addition of Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen - the optimism was high.
But it soon faded and before we knew it, we were saying goodbye to boyhood Villan Dean Smith after he was sacked and replaced with a legend of another club, Steven Gerrard.
Gerrard promised a clean-slate for all of the current group of players and a chance for all to impress as he looked to assess the team ahead of two busy transfer windows and he stuck by his word.
All the first team squad were given a chance by the new man between his arrival and the end of the campaign - some impressed whilst others certainly did not.
There will now be no doubt in Gerrard’s mind who he wants in this squad, where he wants to improve and how many additions he needs to do that.
But we’ve had our own go at the judging with an end of season review.
Here’s how BirminghamWorld rated every member of the senior squad from the 2021/22 and for matter of fairness - all made at least five appearances for the club.
9. Douglas Luiz - 6.5
When played further forward as an eight he puts in consistent 7/10 performances but when playing as a six, it’s more of a 6/10. If he stays at Villa Park, the signing of Boubacar Kamara should hopefully see him land those higher scores more often. | Getty Images
10. John McGinn - 7
If you’re an analytics person, McGinn is probably close to a 10. He led Villa in nearly all statistics at the close of the campaign but as a fan you still want to see more with your own eyes. Seven seems fair. | Getty Images
11. Marvelous Nakamba - 7
When Gerrard first took the reins, Nakamba was a huge part of the upturn in form. He was arguably man-of-the-match in every game until his injury but since his return he has really struggled. Let’s hope the early season form returns next year. | Getty Images
12. Morgan Sanson - 5
Failed to make an impact at all really this year. Every time he got a chance and looked to impress, another injury came up or covid struck and it just seems like it’s not meant to be for Sanson in Birmingham. | AFP via Getty Images