Having failed to mount a serious challenge last season on the basis of not scoring enough goals, it's not entirely clear that Brian Little has solved the problem by spending £7 million on Stan Collymore. The former Liverpool player is even more temperamental than Savo Milosevic, the man he appears to be destined to replace, and not exactly the sort that a tilt at the title should ideally rely on.
Having said that even at Liverpool, where he was ultimately regarded as a failure, his strike rate was always highly respectable and if he does settle well, then Villa, for whom Steve Staunton (pictured) could also make a crucial contribution over the coming months, may do well.
Manager: Brian Little. In: Stan Collymore (from Liverpool) £7 million, Simon Grayson (from Leicester) £1.35 million.
Out: Gareth Farrelly (to Everton) £700,000.
Last Season: Fifth. FA Cup: Fourth round. Coca-Cola Cup: Fourth round.
UEFA Cup: First round.
Betting: 20 to 1.
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