another one in?

Looks like James Milner will be arriving at Villa after all.

His value has shot up from an agreed fee of £4 million in August 2006 when the rug was pulled from under him as he waited at Bodymoor Heath to sign the papers, to around £9million or £10 million now.

Let's hope some quick negotiations can see him making his debut against Liverpool on Sunday.

A midfield of Milner, Reo-Coker, Barry and Young would frighten the very best. And that still leaves Petrov and Sidwell waiting in the wings.

All of a sudden we are seeing competition for places and the chance for Martin O'Neill to swap players around and change systems, if needs be.

A three man central defence, a defensive midfielder and one man up front, one winger or two... the options are now there.

It was a blow to Villa when Roque Santa Cruz signed his new deal at Blackburn as the noises coming out of the club were that Villa were going to push the boat out.

The arrival of a quality goalscorer - and I know that sounds a little daft after the front two's five goals in two games- would lift expectations immeasurably.

Let's also not forget that apart from the 16 potential European games after tomorrow night the club are hoping to progress in the domestic competitions.

I did not think for a minute that Villa would be the sole flag flyers for the region in the Carling Cup without playing a single game, but after last night's results and the exits of Albion, Blues, Wolves and Coventry, that is exactly what has happened.

Despite the defeat to Stoke, which okay did raise some niggling doubts about just how good Villa are, there are still real expections and hopes about this season- more so than at any time in a decade.