Heading into the new season, Aston Villa had been seen as a hive of negativity whose primary task this season was to avoid relegation.

Yet, things have turned out differently thus far this season. As they prepare to host Arsenal, the Birmingham side remain unbeaten in the league after four matches and also held on for a win at Anfield on Saturday. 

Manager Paul Lambert signed a new contract today which would have been unthinkable until recent weeks.

With the owner Randy Lerner intent on selling up, investment in the playing squad has been limited - but shrewd. But it seems that Lambert's assistant Roy Keane is having a positive impact.

"He's definitely getting some glory. How much I'm not quite sure. I did kind of think when Lambert brought him in, I did think it could honestly work because as you've seen with the Irish national team, players like having him on the coaching team. There is a danger for Lambert that a lot of his hard work will be lost in translation as Roy Keane gets the plaudits. But Lambert won't be complaining. The two were good pals and they seem to be working well together," said The Daily Mirror's James Nursey who joined us on tonight's show to analyse Villa's encouraging start to the season.    

Nursey also explained how Villa have started re-using players like Alan Hutton who had been left out in the cold by Lambert.