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.
21. Leon Bailey - 5.5
Another summer signing who has spent more time in the treatment room than on the field. Announced his arrival with a stunning goal against Everton but with constant injuries since and just bit-part appearances - he’s failed to impress. | Getty Images
22. Danny Ings - 7
Never really been unimpressed when watching Ings but he’s failed to put a consistent run of appearances in for the team. A lot of the time it was Watkins or Ings with the former getting the nod for the majority but when Ings has played he always either seems to score or assist. Hopefully another that will have a better 22/23. | Getty Images