Premier League profile 2015/16: Aston Villa

Players who may find themselves surplus to requirements, then, could include Charles N’Zogbia and ageing Joe Cole, who have hardly set the world alight since arriving at Villa Park.

Homegrown hero Gabriel Agbonlahor certainly played his part in the Villans’ survival but, despite his raw pace and hard work, the stats don’t stack up, so the local lad attacker may have to look over his shoulder this season.

Villa’s forward line could potentially see the most change, with Ghanaian goal threat Jordan Ayew and former Blackburn Rovers frontman Rudy Gestede having already arrived for substantial sums.

There seems to be mixed opinions on Sherwood opting for the latter, yet Benin international Gestede has everything in his locker to be a reliable Premier League scorer.

A tally of 33 Championship goals in 66 games over the past two terms in nothing to be sniffed at, and the France-born forward can have realistic ambitions of at least emulating Benteke, who never surpassed 20 league strikes in a season for the Midlands men, by grabbing double figures.

Rumour has it that one more marksman may yet arrive, with mercurial Emmanuel Adebayor, who grafted hard for Sherwood at Spurs, perhaps a surprisingly wiser choice than recent reported target Dimitar Berbatov.

For all the silky skills this graceful Bulgarian has in his locker, he does not have the taste for relegation battles based on previous at Fulham.

Villa’s defence still looks the shakiest part of their squad, in an area that requires stability, despite free agent Micah Richards arriving to partner one of Jores Okore, Ciaran Clark or Nathan Baker. None are exceptional centre backs, though the failure of any to make the spot their own could also be a blessing in disguise.

Competition should be high, and Sherwood will have the chance to shape a backline of his own design, with fresh full back faces Jose Angel Crespo and Jordan Amavi also aiming to give the former Tottenham coach selection headaches.

New buys aside, however, it is confidence that could prove so key to the Villans’ campaign, here, so Sherwood and co will be keen to get off to a flying start.