Players in: Marcus Allback (Heerenveen, �2m); Stefan Postma (De Graafschap, �1.5m); Michael Boulding (Grimsby, free); Ulises de la Cruz (Hibernian, undisclosed).
Players out: George Boateng (Middlesbrough, �5m); Peter Schmeichel (Manchester City, free); Paul Merson (Portsmouth, free).
Last season: Eighth
This season's odds: 200-1
Player to watch:
Our verdict - 13th
Graham Taylor consolidated Villa's position when he took over from John Gregory in february but he will do well to match last season's eighth place. Allback marks a shrewd �2m investment, but Villa may be destined to end in the wrong half of the table.
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