Aston Villa midfielder Glenn Whelan has seemingly found it difficult to win over the club's supporters following a difficult start to the season for the pre-season promotion favourites.

Steve Bruce brought the 33-year-old to Villa Park in a £1m deal from Stoke City in July but he has proved to be a scapegoat for the fans in the early stages of the campaign as the Midlands outfit won just one of their opening seven Championship fixtures.

However, even though Villa have now won four on the bounce it hasn't stopped the Republic of Ireland international getting stick from his own faithful, as was shown on Twitter following the wins against Burton Albion last week and Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

While the midfielder may not have been at the top of his game in some regards this term, he has perhaps played a more important role than some think he has in others.

Here are three reasons Villa fans need to lay off with the Whelan criticism…

Formation change

Whelan certainly wasn't the only player struggling in the 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-2-1 systems earlier on in the season – and didn't deserve to be one of the scapegoats as a result – but he has looked far more comfortable in the standard 4-4-2 formation in recent weeks.

His passing may have been off at points but he is looking to be far more effective in his defensive midfield role now than he perhaps was in August, and his screening of the back four has also been a huge part of Villa conceding just one goal in their last six Championship fixtures.

He is able competition for Jedinak

Despite being a key player for Villa last season Jedinak has played just 45 minutes of Championship football this season because of a groin injury, although he could return to action following the international break.

The Midlands outfit didn't really have anyone to fill in effectively in the defensive midfield position last term if the Australia international was absent, but now they have the perfect competition and able replacement for him in Whelan.

The 33-year-old showed against Bolton that as well as keeping things simple, he can also put his foot in and play long passes when needed, while he also did well to clear a late effort off the line.

He gives Hourihane more attacking freedom

Whelan wasn't purchased by Bruce to be a box-to-box midfielder, and if the Republic of Ireland international starts in the centre of the pitch it allows the likes of Conor Hourihane to go forward and try and find a goal for the Midlands outfit.

The 26-year-old has already scored five goals in 10 Championship appearances for Villa this season and much of that is down to the freedom that he has been given to attack as he knows that his Republic of Ireland teammate is there to cover for him in the current system.

Do you agree, Villa fans? Let us know below.