Aston Villa

Odds: 750/1

Last Five Seasons
2005/06 - 16 (Premiership), 2004/05 - 10 (Premiership), 2003/04 - 6 (Premiership), 2002/03 - 16 (Premiership), 2001/02 - 8 (Premiership).

2005/06 Cup Progress
FA Cup Fifth Round (replay) vs Manchester City (a) - lost 2-1.
Carling Cup Fourth Round vs Doncaster Rovers (a) - lost 3-0.

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Milan Baros (striker) - 12 goals.

Players Out
Jamie Ward (Torquay United - Free)

The events surrounding Aston Villa have given the press plenty to write about this summer - with manager changes, possible take over bids and player mutiny all part of the fun and games at Villa Park.

Martin O'Neill took over as manager on a 12 month rolling contract and replaced David O'Leary who was sacked in July. O'Neill has been out of the game for more than a year when he decided to leave his post at Celtic, where he had won the Scottish Premier League three times, to look after his ill wife.

O'Leary left the club by mutual consent following an inquiry by the board into a statement which criticised chairman Doug Ellis and was supposedly issued by the playing squad. O'Leary enjoyed a successful first season at the club and took them to a sixth place finish but things soon turned sour, with the Midlands side finishing tenth in 2004/05 and then sixteenth last season.

The arrival of O'Neill has lifted spirits with both Gareth Barry and Olof Mellberg ready to commit their futures to the club. Both players were believed to be disillusioned under former manager O'Leary.

Villa has been the subject of intense takeover speculation this summer, with local businessman Michael Neville, American billionnaire Randy Lerner, Nicholas Padfield QC and a consortium lead by Sven-Goran Eriksson's agent Athole Still all showing an interest in buying the club.

Villa turned down a '4.5 million bid for Gareth Barry from Portsmouth. The midfielder joined the club in 1997 and made over 300 appearances. He has also worn the captain's armband for won eight England caps.

However, there could be a return to former club Sunderland for striker Kevin Phillips, following Niall Quinn taking over the North East club. Phillips enjoyed a prolific spell at the Black Cats between 1997 and 2003, scoring 115 goals in 209 league appearances.

Verdict
The arrival of Martin O'Neill as manager is a positive step as Villa were touted as possible relegation fodder this season. The 2006/07 campaign is likely to be one of transition for the club, with no transfer money available until a takeover is complete. Until this time, O'Neill will have to get the best out of the players at his disposal and challenging for a top 10 spot is not beyond their capability.