3 ways in which Aston Villa can lineup in the upcoming season | Premier League 2019-20

Aston Villa are back in the Premier League after three years. The 7-time English Division One winners had a topsy-turvy season in the Championship, before the arrival of local man Dean Smith changed the fortunes of the club.

Under Smith, the Villans went on a 12-match unbeaten streak from February till the last day of the Championship which resulted in the club securing a spot in the playoffs. A win against Derby County in the final saw them secure their return to the top flight.

The former European Cup winners who had to rely very much on their on-loan stars last season have been the most active Premier League club in the transfer window. They now have 12 new summer additions with another 2 rumoured to on the move to Villa Park.

With a new-look Aston Villa in shape now, let's look 3 possible ways they could lineup in the Premier League this season.

3. 4-2-3-1

The most commonly used formation during his time with Brentford

The most commonly used formation throughout his managerial career, Dean Smith has so far used his preferred formation sparingly with Aston Villa. During his time at Brentford, the 48-year-old used this formation as his go-to one for every match.

The formation will likely see an entirely new back line with 5 of the players in the lineup joining the squad during this transfer window. Tom Heaton will start in goal for the Villans after the England international completed his move to Villa Park earlier in the week. Tyrone Mings is the first-choice centre back after having spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa.

His partner, though, is yet to be decided with either of Ezri Konsa or Bjorn Engels likely to partner the former Bournemouth man. Kortney House and Domnic Revan are unlikely to start in the first team with the duo set up to operate as back-up defenders. Matt Targett and Fredric Guilbert are likely to start in the full-back positions. Ahmed Elmohamdy, though, could edge Guilbert for the right-back position due to his previous Premier League experience.

New boys Douglas Luiz and Marvelous Nakamba are likely to start in the base of the midfield with Jack Grealish, Anwar El-Ghazi and Trezeguet playing ahead of the midfield.

Wesley Moraes is a sure starter as the sole centre forward with Villa yet to sign a proper back-up for the newly-acquired Brazilian.

2. 4-1-4-1

Dean Smith's most favoured formation at Aston Villa

Dean Smith is likely to revert to his 4-1-4-1 formation when facing the big boys of the Premier League. The English manager in his first year at Aston Villa used the 4-1-4-1 formation whenever the Villans needed a result on the road.

This formation will once again see Tom Heaton between the posts. The former Burnley man who joined Aston Villa this season could be one of the signings of the season after arriving at Villa Park for a rumoured fee of just £8 million.

In defence, Tyrone Mings will once again lead the line along with either of Ezri Konsa or Bjorn Engels. The 24-year-old Engels is likely to start along with Mings at defence in the first few matches after having had experience playing in the first division of French football with Reims.

Matt Targett is a sure starter at left-back with more experienced Neil Taylor likely to play back-up for the former Southampton man. Ahmed Elmohamady might get the nod ahead of Fredric Guilbert at right-back during the first few matches with Egyptian having already played in the Premier League with Sunderland and Hull City.

Douglas Luiz will most likely be the lone man just above the defensive line with Marvelous Nakamba unlikely to be used in the first few games due to his lack of experience in England.

Villa has a plethora of options in the midfield with play-off final goal scorers Anwar El Ghazi and John McGinn sure starters. Dutch international El Ghazi will start on the right and McGinn in the centre. New arrival Trezeguet will start on the left while star-man Jack Grealish will partner McGinn in the centre of the midfield.

Wesley Moraes will be the lone striker at the top, tasked to lead the line.

3. 4-3-3

Another formation that is heavily relied upon by Dean Smith

This has been one of Dean Smith's most preferred formations since taking the hot seat at Aston Villa. It was the Englishman's decision to switch to the 4-3-3 that helped Villa go on a 12-match unbeaten streak since February that finally helped them get into the playoffs and, ultimately, win it.

Tom Heaton is the hands-down choice between the posts. The former Burnley man is sure to pip Croatian shot-stopper Lovre Kalinic for the No.1 spot.

Tyrone Mings and Bjorn Engles are likely to start in the heart of the defence with Ezri Kona and Kortney House acting as backup. Matt Targett and Ahmed Elmohamady could start as the full-backs with Fredric Guilbert likely to replace Elmohamdy after the first few matches.

Douglas Luiz is likely to start in the heart of the midfield with two of the starters of the play-off final, John McGinn and Jack Grealish partnering the Brazilian on either side of him.

The attacking front trio will see a familiar figure in Anwar El Ghazi starting on the right with Egyptian winger Trezeguet replacing Albert Adomah, who joined Nottingham Forrest in the summer, on the left.

Another new signing, Jota, is unlikely to get the nod ahead of the Egyptian but is likely to provide competition for Trezeguet for a place in the starting lineup. Jack Grealish is another player who might be introduced into the front trio because of his versatility.

Wesley Moraes will takeover from Tammy Abraham at the front after Chelsea loanee returned to his parent club after the completion of his loan spell. With Villa yet to make another signing in the striker position, Jonathan Kodjia looks more likely to play as the backup to Wesley.