Villa pick winners in centre back merry-go-round

Things aren't perfect at Villa Park (don't take my word for it) but despite one or two concerns about playing style and aspects of management, there's plenty to be positive about too.

Forgive me for employing a little supporter insight here, but the fact that Aston Villa haven't kept a Premier League clean sheet in living memory is hiding something far more encouraging for the club: Aston Villa's first choice defence is very, very impressive. A full-back stable boasting Luke Young, Stephen Warnock, Wilfred Bouma, Habib Beye and Nicky Shorey is as deep as any in the division, but the centre backs are Villa's real strong point.

Manchester City's pairing of Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott was an expensive one to assemble and, in Toure, Mark Hughes has a solid centre back. He was over-priced, but most players who sign for City will suffer the same tag by virtue of City's methods.

Lescott, on the other hand, has been disappointing. His price tag is at least twice his worth and, given his proven quality, appears to be weighing upon him. Lescott will surely come good in time - he is certainly better than his recent performances suggest, if a long way shy of the £20m+ defender he apparently is. Not so Wayne Bridge, whose inadequacies become more exposed the more he believes he's a world beater.

Lescott's departure from Everton left a sour taste, and David Moyes had few options and little time with which to replace him. Sylvain Distin in his pomp might have been good enough to marshall a Europa League defence, but those days are behind him. Everton will likely be looking to replace him next summer.

In amongst all the chaos, Villa have emerged as unlikely beneficiaries. In August, Martin O'Neill had a huge problem. Martin Laursen had retired, and Curtis Davies' shoulder had finally collapsed under the weight of six months avoiding a necessary operation. Ciaran Clark started (and starred in) Villa's win over Fulham, but Villa were down to the bare bones at the back.

O'Neill pulled out all the stops in the final days of the transfer window, adding Stephen Warnock as well as centre halves Richard Dunne (from, of course, Manchester City) and James Collins. The trio have quickly become supporter favourites at Villa Park thanks to a string of heroic performances which included wins over Birmingham City and Chelsea.

In the latter, both Collins and Dunne scored to defeat the title hopefuls. Dunne had already written himself into the Villa good books by rising above former skipper Gareth Barry to thump in a header against his own former club.

The summer transfer market had plenty of comings and goings, but as centre backs go it seems Villa did the best business, Vermaelen notwithstanding. If they can arrange a little protection from the midfield they might just have a shot at sixth after all. For me, that means Nigel Reo-Coker in and Steve Sidwell out. Think on, Martin.

(Pic via AVFC.co.uk)