Steve Bruce's signings at Aston Villa - Rated

Having taken charge of two transfer windows at B6, Bruce has brought in 13 first-team players - but how have they fared since heading to the club?

John Terry

Undoubtedly one of the biggest names to sign his name on the dotted line at Villa Park, Steve Bruce's acquisition of former England captain and five-time Premier League winner John Terry was a master-stroke.

Convincing the 36-year-old to join Villa ahead of a host of other clubs was a coup for the boss, and he's been an ever-present in the Championship since joining.

While the occasional stint in a three man defence hasn't worked - Terry has taken to Villa fairly well.

The chastising 3-0 loss to Cardiff and similarly disappointing 2-1 defeat to Reading did get some fans questioning his quality, but following three straight clean sheets in the league he's clearly bedding in.

Rating: B+

Scott Hogan

Has this guy broken any mirrors, walked under any ladders or crossed paths with any black cats recently? You'd think as much with the bad luck he's had in Villa colours.

Hogan has been inconsistent at best when he's made the pitch, but he's had horrifically poor luck with injuries and THAT inadvertent goal-line 'clearance' against Boro.

A hard worker and willing runner, Hogan will thrive with an inventive player behind him, but Villa's loss of Jack Grealish has resulted in service being restricted to the former Brentford man.

At the moment his £15m price-tag looks bloated - although given the right service he could well meet the fans' expectations eventually.

Rating: C-

Glenn Whelan

Not the first name fans wanted to see through the doors at Villa Park, but one applauded by many when he did seal his move to B6 from Stoke.

In fact, most Potters fans were sad to see the Irishman leave, such was their love for the holding midfielder.

He's yet failed to become a similar fan favourite in claret and blue, but has offered a secondary option to Mile Jedinak, who's troublesome groin injury saw him miss the opening chunk of the season.

Not someone to shout about, but could become a key player.

Rating: C

Ahmed Elmohamady

Wherever Steve Bruce goes, the Egyptian utility winger often follows - as was the case with Villa Park this summer.

Another one of Bruce's seemingly endless options at right-back, Elmohamady has been played more on the right-wing so far in Villa colours.

However, following Robert Snodgrass's arrival he may see himself coming in off the bench this season or at the full-back slot.

He's done well enough since joining, and has shown he's capable of providing great service from the wing.

Rating: C+

Sam Johnstone (loan)

Many fans questioned Sam Johnstone's original loan move to Villa, especially after some less than convincing performances last season.

Fast-forward six months and he now looks like one of Bruce's most astute deals, and is proving a very safe pair of hands between the sticks.

Confident, a calming presence and a savvy shot-stopper, Villa's task of keeping him permanently has got a whole lot tougher given his start to this season.

If Villa tie him down permanently at some point he'll be a very solid stopper for the coming years. Although if they don't go up Premier League interest will almost certainly come calling...

Rating: A

Chris Samba

A quirky signing to say the least. Following a very impressive performance against Walsall in pre-season (and numerous months training with the squad behind the scenes) Bruce finally gave the former Blackburn Rovers man a contract.

However, with the three at the back formation shelved, Samba's clearly playing understudy to John Terry and James Chester for the time being.

The question which most fans pose is whether he's as good as Nathan Baker, who departed for Bristol City in the summer in search of first-team football.

Whilst he may have experience, fans were impressed by Baker last season and he's yet to prove himself as a legitimate replacement so far.

Rating: C-

James Bree

Another option on the right side of defence, Bree joined in January and is looking like a decent talent to eventually take hold of the right-back position in future years.

Only 19 years of age, he's already got plenty of first-team experience and is many fans' preferred starter.

He's obviously one for the future, and doing battle with the likes of Alan Hutton, Richie De Laet and Ahmed Elmohamady will surely help him.

A burgeoning talent, so it's tough to criticise his signing just yet.

Rating: C

Conor Hourihane

When Hourihane was signed in January, the weight of expectation seemed too heavy for the Irishman to handle - but following the start of the 2017/18 season he's suddenly grown into one of Bruce's most accomplished deals.

His sultry deliveries are still a bit few and far between, but when employed in a more forward-thinking role he boasts a goal threat from midfield which Villa have been craving for years now.

His hat-trick against Norwich (the first from a midfielder in Villa colours since 1991) shows just how much damage he can do in the right system, and his current four-goal tally could've been five but for Hogan's unfortunate clearance in the draw with Boro.

He's showing his class this season, and he's now one of the first name's on Bruce's weekly team sheet.

Rating: A-

Henri Lansbury

Another midfielder that was expected to kick on this season after a hit and miss start to life at Villa Park.

Unfortunately for the combative and often unpredictable midfielder he's yet to really show what he's made of in claret and blue, and is beginning to see his name fall away from the starting XI.

There's definitely a player there - you need only look back at some of his performances for Nottingham Forest as evidence, but Bruce has yet to coax those kinds of showings out.

He's no longer a certain starter, but fans will hope to see him show his worth this season.

Rating: C-

Birkir Bjarnason

Where does this guy play? Steve Bruce has bounced Thor around numerous positions since signing him from Basel, where he actually showed good goalscoring nous (bagging 14 in 42 appearances).

Injury has curtailed his time at B6 so far, as has the emergence of Andre Green on the left side of midfield, and the resurgent form of Albert Adomah isn't helping the Icelandic international's chances either.

He now seems most likely to play back up to Neil Taylor at left-back following Jordan Amavi's exit - a position which he's clearly wasted upon.

Looking more and more like a player signed to play in spurts or to cover injury - which is unfair given his hard work, but it's tough to find a place for him.

Rating: D

Neil Taylor

Accomplished, defensively sound and one of the first names on the team sheet, Steve Bruce did well to bring Neil Taylor into B6.

After Jordan Amavi's early exuberance faded thanks to a mixture of defensive struggles and injury, Taylor stepped into the fold and has made that left-back role his own.

He's got Premier League experience, is a hard worker and does his job without issue - although he could do with a left-peg delivery like that of the departed Frenchman.

The only worry is what happens if he ends up facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Rating: A

Robert Snodgrass (loan)

Another man Bruce knows well - and one who already looks like a shrewd pick-up.

Admittedly, Villa didn't need an extra winger, but despite failing to find the back of the net so far it looks only a matter of time until the Scot will start banging them in.

Also, his unwillingness to play on the left seems to have paid dividends for Albert Adomah, who's recent stint as an inverted winger has worked well.

A very smart move at this level, and if he likes it at B6, a permanent deal would be useful at the end of the season too.

Rating: B+

Josh Onomah (loan)

What a shame it is that this lad is owned by Spurs.

Villa are already benefitting from the 20-year-old this season who offers a real spark - in fact he looks so good that it would be no surprise to see Mauricio Pochettino introduce him into Spurs' first-team sooner rather than later.

The Championship is a level he's more than comfortable in, the Premier League beckons next season - hopefully it does for Villa too.

Put simply, if all of Tottenham's youngsters are this good they'll be a terrifying prospect given a couple more seasons.

Rating: B