Last Season - Finished 6th in the Premier League - 60pts
Manager:  Martin O'Neill

INS:
RB Luke Young - 12m US
LB Nicky Shorey - 7m US
GK Brad Guzan - 1.5m US
GK Brad Friedel - 5m US
CMF Steve Sidwell - 10m US
CB Curtis Davies - 16m US

OUTS:
GK Thomas Sorensen
CB Olof Mellberg
ST Luke Moore
LMF Patrik Berger
MF Damian Bellon
RB Erik Lund

Possibles:
RW Shaun Wright-Phillips - Chelsea
GK Carlos Kameni - Espanyol
MF Jimmy Bullard - Fulham
LW Stewart Downing - Middlesbrough
RB Paulo Ferreira - Chelsea
GK Robert Green - West Ham
MF Michael Johnson - Manchester City
CB Younes Kaboul - Tottenham

What's Left in the Kitty - 15m US (plus any G. Barry fees)

What Lies Ahead:
Aug 16 Manchester City (H)
Aug 23 Stoke City (A)
Aug 30 Liverpool (H)
Sep 13 Tottenham (A)
Sep 20 West Brom (A)
Sep 27 Sunderland (H)
Oct 4 Chelsea (A)

Possible Starting XI:
GK Brad Friedel
RB Luke Young
CB Martin Laursen/Curtis Davies
CB Zat Knight
LB Nicky Shorey
RMF Stilian Petrov/Craig Gardner
CMF Nigel Reo-Coker/Steve Sidwell
CMF Gareth Barry
LMF Ashley Young/Shaun Maloney
FW Gabriel Agbonlahor
FW John Carew/Marlon Harewood

How they'll Stack Up:
It's been a tough summer at Villa Park with the continued Gareth Barry saga really putting a cloud over the team.  O'Neill did the right thing a couple weeks back and called Liverpool out giving them ample time to come in and sign his star MF.  It's a shame for Villa that Reds have shown themselves to be all talk and no action because this side could use the money to bring in some more bodies.  To date, bringing in Brad Friedel is a decent stop-gap until Guzan gets acclimated.  Steve Sidwell could be a great buy if he recovers his Reading form - and Curtis Davies on a now permanent deal boosts the center of DF.  But the one thing that has held Villa back is their lack of depth.  They ran out of steam last term - three points behind Manchester United at the beginning of December became 27-points back at the close.  It didn't help that Gabby Agbonlahor went cold as ice.  The rumor mill has Villa in for a number of attacking players and they'd certainly add to their chances with a move for SWP, Downing, Bullard or Johnson.  At this point, Johnson is the most likely option.  It's interesting to note that Viila were the third highest scoring team last term - but they also gave up a ton.  That could be the case again if they can't find some outside backs to compliment a strong central defence.  At this point, I'd say Villa are right on track to stay right where they finished last season.  A move into the top-4 won't happen with this current squad and a drop beyond 6th spot would be a disappointment.

Coming Up Monday - Everton