Ground: Villa Park.

Nickname: The Villains.

Manager: Graham Taylor.

Position: 13th.

Players in: Marcus Allback (Heerenveen, £2m), Stefan Postma (De Graafschap, £1.5m), Ulises de la Cruz (Hibernian, £1.5m), Lee Grant (York, undisclosed), Michael Boulding (Grimsby, free), Mark Kinsella (Charlton, £750,000), Ronny Johnsen (free agent).

Players out: George Boateng (Middlesbrough, £5m), Peter Schmeichel (Manchester City, free), Paul Merson (Portsmouth, free).

Talking point: Taylor can do little to stop the snipers in the stands but he is determined to silence Alpay, the wantaway defender who hasn't missed a chance to have a pop at him or the club while trying to engineer a move. The Villa boss has been doing his best to ship out the troublesome Turk insisting that, even if he stays, he will be kept well away from the first team. Ronny Johnsen, who turned down a chance to join Wanderers, has been signed to take his place. Leicester midfielder Muzzy Izzet is another target.

Danger man: Darius Vassell, now an England international, broke Villa's scoring duck on Wednesday night and should be hungry for more.

Last time out: Villa 1 (Vassell 64), Manchester City 0.

How they lined up (4-3-3): Enckelman; Delaney, Mellberg, Staunton, Wright (Samuel 46); Hendrie, Kinsella, Barry; Vassell, Angel (Allback 88), Crouch. Not used: Postma, Hitzlesperger, De la Cruz.

Selection update: Alan Wright is doubtful after breaking a bone in his wrist during the midweek victory over Man City - J Lloyd Samuel stands by. Former Man U defender Ronny Johnsen goes straight into the squad.

Last season: Wanderers 3, Villa 2.