With the barked exhortations of the Great Dane ringing in their ears, the rest of the Villa jigsaw has come together. A back four of Mark Delaney, Alpay, Steve Staunton and Alan Wright contains no star names, but does the job. Half the credit also goes to John Gregory for abandoning his flawed 5-3-2 formation. Olof Mellberg's return from injury adds further options.

The acquisition of the Moroccan duo of Mustapha Hadji and Hassan Kachloul has finally given Villa wide players worth writing home about. In the center, George Boateng and Lee Hendrie seem to have learnt from past mistakes and short tempers - Villa has the best disciplinary record in the EPL this season, and zipping the ball around nicely. Life-long Villa fan Ian Taylor won't get many games this year, but he's good for morale.

Up front, expensive Colombian import Juan Pablo Angel is finally showing English fans what he used to do for River Plate in Argentina. Kudos to Angel and the Villa organisation for ignoring the rocky start to his EPL career. Darius Vassell adds the speed and goalscoring ability alongside Angel, with Paul Merson and Dion Dublin providing the veteran back-up. Bosko Balaban is the potential in reserve.

Just two years ago, John Gregory started an all-English eleven. This year's international brigade seems much more up to the task. Villa could have, and should have, beaten Man Utd in August. In September, they won at Liverpool. After five wins in their last six EPL games, Villa's credentials will now be tested. Upcoming home games against Middlesbrough, Leicester and Ipswich look tasty, but are on the road. Arsenal and Leeds are on the horizon.

First up, though, is a trip to Newcastle. Villa's loss at St. James' Park last May is just one of two defeats they have suffered in their last 22 EPL games. In eight EPL visits to Newcastle, however, Villa has lost on all but one occasion, with that sole victory, in August 1999, coming after Alan Shearer was sent off for the only time in his career. If Villa can shut down Shearer and Co., it really is time to take them seriously.

Saturday's other featured games see born-again West Ham look to make it four wins in a row when they take on Fulham, who well could be playing their home games at Upton Park next season. Always nice to have a good look around before you move house. Meanwhile, Leicester (3 goals in 5 home games this season) hosts Sunderland (3 goals in 5 away games this season). Might give that one a miss.

Only three English clubs have won more domestic trophies than Aston Villa, and you can see them all on Sunday. There's another London derby at Highbury, as Arsenal welcomes Charlton for a brief encounter and three points in the bag for the Gunners. The main event is in the northwest with the clash of Liverpool and Man Utd at Anfield. The Reds look to win their fourth straight match against the champions.

While the big guns of the EPL continue to snaffle points off each other, could it yet be Villa's year?

The truth is out there.

Catch all your EPL action on FOX Sports World and return next week for another installment of THE GILES FILES.