Sherwood hints at massive summer overhaul just moments after F.A. Cup defeat

The mood amongst Villa fans as the sun rose over a majestic Wembely Stadium Sunday morning quickly turned foul, giving way to thoughts of a relapse to relegation-battling Villa as Arsenal hammered Villa to a 4-0 defeat.

Sherwood was visibly distraught as the game drew to a whimpering close, and his emotions continued to influence his judgment and word choice as he faced the media following the contest.

When asked about the current squad, Sherwood commented, "Some of the boys have already been told they won't be here next year, or that they can go and find other clubs."

Sherwood has been brutally honest over his short tenure with Villa, a trend that continued again Sunday evening. The question that begs to be asked is: "Who exactly is on the chopping block?"

Players whose departures seem to be more of a formality than a decision include Darren Bent, Joe Cole, and Shay Given - regardless of Given's admirable displays in the cup until Sunday afternoon.

Bent, Cole, and Given are all experienced veterans that do not appear to fit into Sherwood's youth model, and who are all taking significant wages that could otherwise be allocated elsewhere. Joe Cole's creator role is now a crowded position with Jack Grealish starting consistently and Carles Gil unable to get a look, and Shay Given's backup role looks to be transferring to young English goalkeeper Jed Steer.

Some of the other players under speculation are Aly Cissokho, Alan Hutton, and Philippe Senderos - Senderos and Cissokho have disappeared under Sherwood, and Hutton has lost favor to the more forward-thinking Leonardo Bacuna, who may be able to undertake a more forward role next year.

Carles Gil, the man that many a Villa fan thought would rescue Paul Lambert's tenure after his inspiring initial displays failed to start any games under Sherwood, and was even rumored to storm away from Villa Park after hearing he was not chosen for Villa's monumental game against QPR in which Christian Benteke's hat-trick rescued a point for Villa.

It is unknown who Sherwood will bring in, but it will have to be quite a large import to replace all of the depth that appears to be on its way out during his first transfer window.