Just started a Villa game myself,3rd season now
1st season ended 7th
2nd First
3rd First by 1 point different
Anyway back to you
First thing you should do is sell barry for 32-33 mill to man city,thats how much ive sold mine at the start of first season.
Then you can start strengthen your team,dont get too many though because it will takes lots of time before your team get to know each other
My suggestions (also my signings)
Vagner love
Marquinhos
Matias fernandez
Sakho
Cant remember exactly the full first squad anymore but if you need a RB
Cesar Azpillicueta
Should stick these fews first then wait for Januari transferwindow
Then if you have money left or sold some players like reo coker and some players you dont use get Miguel veloso and Sergio asenjo
Should be a good starter