Half Term Report: Aston Villa

During the Little and Gregory eras, Villa were always just behind the true contenders. Under Graham Taylor they are closer to the drop zone, yet the campaign for Doug Ellis to relinquish control has lost momentum. The reason is a growing acceptance that Taylor, on a smaller budget, is gradually fashioning a more organised, harder-working side. His remodelling inevitably encountered teething troubles. In nine months, however, he has shed some famous, but fitful contributors (Merson, Schmeichel and Ginola) and brought in solid, if less gifted, pros (Kinsella, Leonhardsen, Johnsen), at the same time as spotting Thomas Hitzlsperger's untapped qualities and reviving the careers of Dion Dublin and Gareth Barry. Some of his recruits have not shone, while Peter Enckelman remains error-prone. But they are beginning to move in the right direction again.