Not too worried by that result or performance. Villa had their strongest team available and I thought they edged it mainly due to the presence of actual strikers on the pitch
If we're persisting with the 3 at the back, we need a focal point up top. We also can't play Gray. He isn't an inside forward and is too selfish to work well with an overlapping full back. Our biggest issue today was that the lack of someone upfront left a huge gap between the forwards and CMs across the pitch that Villa just took control of. The 3 at the back needs two inside forwards playing off someone (Rondon) and I honestly think it needs to be Gordon and McNeil. Now I know neither played well today but I would say Gordon improved with the introduction of Rondon and I would also say it is difficult to judge McNeil due to lack of a striker.
I know there is a clamour to switch to a 4-3-3 from the start but I'm not sure it improves us. The issue for me at the moment is trying to play wingers along with wing backs.
However, I wouldn't mind seeing us switch to 4-3-3 earlier in games when we are behind too. Feels like Frank is making changes far too late.