Feizal Rahman / 28 December 2008 Free Bet

At the beginning of today, with half the season complete, Aston Villa occupied fourth spot in the Premier League, a comfortable three points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal and only seven points away from table toppers Liverpool.

A thrilling Boxing Day draw at home to the Gunners ensured that Villa could do no worse than enter the New Year level pegging with the North London club. Yet, having fought back from a two goal deficit, Martin O'Neill's side went some way to suggesting that aside from asserting their credentials to compete for a prestigious Champions League place, perhaps it would not be too outlandish a proposal that they may even be in with a chance of challenging for the title ([85.0] to win).

The 'Big 4' have all performed questionably so far. Liverpool still fail to convince that this will be their first title-winning season in 18 years ([4.3] to be crowned champions), while Chelsea have stuttered at home, losing their once impenetrable reputation. Club World Champions Manchester United are yet to shift up into the top gear that led them to League and European glory last season whereas Arsenal continue to regress.

Conversely, Aston Villa have taken impressive strides forward with the emergence of a burgeoning, largely English-born team that counter-attacks with lightning speed and devastating impact. The development of pacy forwards Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor has unquestionably been key to Villa's ascent but it's the solid backbone of the team that has enabled them to gatecrash the elite party.

With the experienced Brad Friedel in goal, Villa have one of the best stoppers in the top flight and captain Martin Laursen brings a dominant physical presence to the centre of defence. In midfield, Nigel Reo-Coker and Gareth Barry provide industry and solidity while the right-sided James Milner offers additional width to complement Ashley Young's left wing incursions.

Martin O'Neill has a track record of achievement with hard-working and productive teams and despite criticism of his overly direct tactics, his current Villa charges are displaying the very attributes which have previously brought him success.

A 90th minute equaliser from Joleon Lescott looked to have gained Everton a last-gasp draw at home to Villa three weeks ago but a breathtaking surge from Ashley Young in the dying seconds ensured that that the visitors returned to the Midlands with all three points. It was a tenaciously earned result that would ordinarily only be expected of a title-contending club but Villa showed the determination to gain a victory that comes from a team that is genuinely challenging for honours.

In a season that is proving to be tighter than usual at both ends of the Premier League, there is an impending threat to the status quo. Much in the way that his mentor Brian Clough used to enjoy upsetting the established order - winning league titles and European Cups with Derby and Nottingham Forest - so Martin O'Neill appears intent on breaking the Champions League-place oligopoly. The parallels with Clough are clear to see, from the outspoken and occasionally fiery-tempered persona to the managerial partnership with a trusted number two.

However, it's the effectiveness of Villa's honest and simple style of football that is most striking.
The signs are that O'Neill is looking to lay the foundations for a long-term challenge but the short-terms possibilities are very real. Backed by the finances of billionaire Chairman Randy Lerner, the Villa manager will look to strengthen his current squad in the January transfer window. Though he must also ensure that talents such as Ashley Young - recently linked with a move to Real Madrid - remain an integral part of the club's push for silverware.

With possible challenges from cash-rich Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur next season, this may be Villa's best chance to make their breakthrough. With a visit to a retrograde Hull City up next on Tuesday evening ([2.08] the away win), Villa have an arguably easy run of games coming up and should seek to captalise with a visit from Chelsea scheduled for the end of February, along with a tough trip to CSKA Moscow awaiting them in the Uefa Cup.

O'Neill will be mindful of a good run in both the Uefa and FA Cups ([18.5] to win either) but the potential rewards of Champions League football next season will surely take precedence. Should they succeed in their efforts ([2.36] for a Top 4 finish), then with all the benefits that come from exposure at the highest level, Villa can truly consider themselves the newest member of the English football establishment.