The 2016-17 campaign was a turbulent, ambitious season of transition for Aston Villa as The Villans embarked on their first-ever Championship campaign following Premier League relegation. Despite an unprecedented summer outlay of over £60 million on new players, the season was characterized by managerial upheaval, with Roberto Di Matteo sacked in October and replaced by Steve Bruce, who ultimately guided the team to a 13th-place finish. Leading the charge was the prolific new forward Jonathan Kodjia, whose 19 league goals proved a rare and consistent bright spot in a year of rebuilding. The season remains a key chapter of high-spending expectation that ultimately yielded mid-table consolidation.. The 2017-18 campaign was a season of high ambition and ultimate heartbreak for Aston Villa as The Villans, led by manager Steve Bruce and captain John Terry, powered their way to a strong 4th-place finish in the Championship. Leading the vital promotion charge was the sensational winger Albert Adomah, whose 14 league goals provided the crucial attacking threat. Despite defeating Middlesbrough in the play-off semi-finals, the season culminated in a crushing 1-0 defeat to Fulham at Wembley, leaving the Villans agonizingly short of a return to the Premier League.