ASTON VILLA
David O'Leary has a squad with the talent and ability to make its mark in the Barclaycard Premiership

PREMIER LEAGUE PERFORMANCE
Aston Villa have brought together a strong squad which has helped the club flourish in the Barclaycard Premiership. An already solid roster was boosted in the summer of 2002 by the capture of Swedish World Cup striker Marcus Allback, who joins, amongst others, England forward Darius Vassell in a potent strikeforce. Ron Atkinson took Villa to the brink of FA Premier League title glory in 1993, but they were pipped to the post by Manchester United. Atkinson then overcame his former club in the League Cup final in 1994 and successor Brian Little emulated the feat in 1996, defeating Leeds United 3-0. John Gregory kept up the high standards, and the side never finished below halfway in the FA Premier League under his tenure. A run to the UEFA Cup quarter-finals in 1998 was an outstanding achievement, as Villa retained their hard-to-beat reputation. Former England boss Graham Taylor - who took Villa to second place in the old First Division in 1990 - returned in 2002 for a second brief stint in charge which ended in May 2003. Ex-Leeds manager David O'Leary stepped in, eager to boost his reputation as one of the best managers in the game and enhance Villa's claims as Barclaycard Premiership contenders.