Paul Lambert's Villa were embroiled in a relegation battle for much of last season, eventually finishing 15th and clear from the drop by five points.
For the 2014/15 season, players, manager and fans alike will be hoping for better things and for a more consistent year.
COMPLETED TRANSFERS
Philippe Senderos - Free from Fulham
Former Arsenal centre-back, Senderos will bring much needed Premier League experience to Villa's backline. The Swiss, now 29-years-old, left Fulham following their relegation last season. He was in Switzerland World Cup squad but failed to add to his 54 caps at the tounrment.
Joe Cole - Free from West Ham
After failing to nail down a starting place at Upton Park last season, Cole moved on to his fourth Premier League club. The 32-year-old scored three times in 25 games for the Hammers last term. If he can re-find his form from his Chelsea days, Villa could have a useful asset.
Tom Leggett - Undisclosed from Southampton
The 18-year-old right-back came up through the Southampton youth system.
Isaac Nehemia - Undisclosed from Southampton
Another youngest from the Saints' academy, he is an 18-year-old left back.
Kieran Richardson - Undisclosed from Fulham
Following in Senderos' footsteps, Richardson has too made the switch from relegated Fulham to Villa Park. The 29-year-old played in 31 league games for Fulham last season, scoring four times. He has plenty of Premier League experience from his time with Manchester United and Sunderland.
Aly Cissokho - Undisclosed from Valencia
The left-back spent last season on loan at Liverpool but didn't manage to nail down a first-team place under Brendan Rodgers, with the Reds manager preferring Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan at various points of the season. But he is extremely athletic and capable in attack or defence.
Carlos Sanchez - Free from Elche
The tough-tackling midfielder is a bundle of energy. Starred for Colombia in the World Cup, doing the dirty work that allowed the likes of James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado to shine in Brazil
EXITS
Marc Albrighton - Free to Leicester City
Jordan Bowery - Undisclosed to Rotherham
Nathan Delfouneso - Released
Nicklas Helenius - Loan to Aalborg
Yacouba Sylla - Loan to Kayseri Erciyesspor
Aleksandar Tonev – Loan to Celtic
Jed Steer – Loan to Doncaster Rovers
Benjamin Siegrist – Loan to Cambridge United
Antonio Luna – Loan to Verona
Alan Hutton – Loan to Bolton
Gary Gardner – Loan to Sheffield Wednesday
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