Bookmakers cut Aston Villa’s odds on winning the Premier League title from 50-1 to 40-1 on Wednesday following their gritty 1-0 victory at Portsmouth the previous night. It will not provoke a rush of punters parting with their hard-earned cash but with the wily Martin O’Neill at the helm and confidence soaring, there is no question Villa are now serious players in the title race.

What’s more, there appears to be genuine good will among fans of other clubs for Villa’s attempt to break the boring top-four stranglehold of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and
Arsenal. The reasons for that are plentiful.

Firstly, Villa have a policy of fielding mainly English players. Eight of the starting side at Fratton Park were English, including new signing Emile Heskey who scored the winner on his debut. Gabriel Agbonlahor, Gareth Barry, Ashley Young (who missed the game through suspension) and Heskey are all regulars in the England squad.

Secondly, they have a manager who thinks before he opens his mouth, rises above the normal cliches and retains a boyish sense of humour for the game that ordinary fans relate to. His honesty in defeat and victory are refreshing.

His football brain is as sharp as a pin as the astute signing of Heskey proved.

Thirdly, they may have been bought by a foreign owner but American Randy Lerner prefers to stay in the background and let his manager and players do the talking. He even ingratiated himself with the fans by forking out of his own pocket to restore a traditional pre-match pub next to the ground.

Lastly, Villa have acquired a winning habit through a fairly simple brand of football that maximises their strengths. Critics call it long ball, but there is plenty of skill on show. The 1-0 win at Portsmouth which put them above Chelsea into third place was their sixth consecutive away victory in the league.

United remain favourites to win the title, but Villa look like they are enjoying life in the top four and thanks to the solid foundations being put in place look as if they can stick around for a while.

Arsenal are the most likely victims of Villa’s rise this season but Chelsea and Liverpool will both be wary of the claret and blue threat coming from the Midlands.

PHOTO: Martin O’ Neill gestures during Aston villa’s Premier League match against Watford at Vicarage Road, Sept. 16, 2006. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh