The 2015-16 season was Aston Villa's 1st season in the Football League Championship following their relegation from the Premier League last season. The 2016âÂÂ17 EFL Championship season was Villa's 142nd season in English football. It was the club's first season in the second tier of English football since the formation of the Premier League.
On 2 June 2016, Roberto Di Matteo was appointed the manager of the newly relegated Championship club, working under the new chairman Tony Xia. Di Matteo's former Chelsea teammate Steve Clarke was appointed as his assistant on the same day. Xia also appointed Keith Wyness as CEO. On 3 October 2016, Di Matteo was sacked as manager after a string of poor results culminating in a 2âÂÂ0 defeat at Preston North End.
On 12 October 2016, Steve Bruce was appointed manager. In his second match in charge, Villa defeated Reading, the club's first win in 11 games and the first away win for 14 months. Bruce brought in Colin Calderwood as assistant manager from Brighton & Hove Albion and Stephen Clemence from old club Hull City as first-team coach.
On 22 June 2016, the fixtures for the forthcoming season were announced.
<small>Ordered by squad number. Appearances include all competitive league and cup appearances, including as substitute.</small>
<small>Appearances (Apps.) numbers are for appearances in competitive games only including sub appearances<br /> Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute<br /> Red card numbers denote: Numbers in parentheses represent red cards overturned for wrongful dismissal.</small>