Craig - Sky Sports Expert

Martin the Messiah

Craig Cochrane's confidence is spilling over ahead of Arsenal clash

Posted: 24th December 2009 10:43

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Martin the Messiah

The MON man

We all remember what happened last year and we are older and wiser now to make sure our challenge continues right to the end of the season.

FanZoner Craig Cochrane on Aston Villa's ambition to break into the top four.
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Well, what can I say? Joint third in the Premier League at Christmas, within striking distance of Manchester United and six points off the leaders Chelsea.

Ask any Villa fan and they will tell you that is a very good return at this stage of the season. Couple that with a good run in the Carling Cup which sees us two games away from Wembley and you have to say it is a great start to the season.

However, we all remember what happened last year and we are older and wiser now to make sure our challenge continues right to the end of the season.

Caution

We came so close to breaking the top four last season and some people believed it was a "done deal" when we were so far ahead of Arsenal in February. The monopoly of the big four on the Champions League being broken looked almost a certainty, but then the wheels came off dramatically and we ran out of steam at the last furlong.

However, our Messiah Martin O'Neill has learnt a lot from the experience of last season and I am sure he will not let that happen again.

The new boys

The difference this season is that we have invested in some quality signings and some of our existing squad are playing out of their skins all at the same time.

I must admit, when MON signed James Collins, Stephen Warnock and Richard Dunne from West Ham, Blackburn and Man City respectively, I had some concerns. Following our home defeat by Wigan on the opening day of the season, MON had to do something to tighten up our defence otherwise I am sure we would have struggled.

It did not take me long to realise how great these signings were for us and how the gaffer had got it spot on yet again. Dunne is a workhorse and the sort of player that will die for the cause. Warnock is solid on the left and is good going forward and that has allowed Luke Young to switch back to his orthodox right back position. James Collins has been immense since he arrived and has only been thwarted by an injury of late, so things really are looking good.

Stuart Downing has also looked very impressive since his season started in late November. He is a quality player and will be another great signing by MON. There is much more to come from him I am sure. Fabian Delph is also a good acquisition for the future and Habib Beye will provide cover across the defence.

The great thing is most Villa fans are now saying "Gareth who?". Happy Days!!!

The existing boys

What has happened to Carlos Cuellar? Real Madrid are even knocking on the door and he is now tipped to make the Spanish World Cup squad! He is playing out of his skin and deserves to be in the starting line-up at the moment. It probably has a lot to do with him now playing in his favoured centre half position as opposed to right back. However, the transition from the first home game against Wigan to where he is now is absolutely unbelievable.

Carlos is not the only one who has impressed out of the existing squad members this season though. Milner, Petrov, Friedel, the two Young's, Carew, Gaby and Guzan (in the Carling Cup) have all hit top form at the same time. Even Emily Heskey is doing his bit - MON must be over the moon because all the fans are loving every minute of it.

Top results

With three wins out of three against the so called "big four", we are flying at the moment. Two of those three wins against the big boys were away as well, so we have home advantage in the second half of the season. It was great to win at Anfield and to beat Chelsea at home, but the pinnacle has to be the away victory at Old Trafford - 26 years it took us to repeat the achievement of 1983 when Peter Withe scored twice to secure a 2-1 victory.

I watched the game in a bar in Sao Paulo where I was away with work - typical, the one away trip I miss up there we go and win! Let's just say, the Brazilians have never seen a celebration like it at the final whistle with my forward roll on a concrete floor into four bar stools showing how much I enjoyed the win!

Apart from slip-ups at home to Wigan and away to Blackburn and West Ham, we are showing some great form and consistency this season. It is games like Sunderland away last week where we would have slipped up last season, but we dispatched them with ease and the result never looked in doubt. It really is a great start to the season and we really are looking unbeatable.

Arsenal

Obviously the missing quarter of the big four is Arsenal and we travel there on Sunday brimming with confidence. It is a massive week for us with the trip to the Emirates being followed by a home game against struggling Liverpool. I am looking forward to getting in the booth for this one, as I think it will be a great game.

Last season we went there and beat them 2-0. To be honest, we could have been 4-0 up at half time had we not squandered so many chances.

I am under no illusions that this will be a tough game for us, but I am so confident at the moment I just cannot see us conceding or losing the game. I know that probably sounds a little big-headed, but why shouldn't I be when we have already won at Anfield and Old Trafford this season.

The Gunners don't have much that we cannot deal with in my opinion. Their biggest threat, Van Partidge, is sidelined and Fabregas is struggling with injury. However, when we won there last season they were all playing for the Arsenal, so I am sure we can do a job again as we are stronger in all departments this season.

Same score as last season for me - 0-2 to the Villa Boys.

Merry Christmas and up the Villa!

Tune in to FanZone this Sunday to hear Craig's Villa commentary - press red from 1.30pm.

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