Martin O'Neill has always been praised as one of the top managers in British football, but does he get the credit he deserves? I took a look into his track record at current side Aston Villa to find out what he's doing right, and why the Midlands side could be one of the teams to watch out for in the future of English football.

Since finishing runners-up to Manchester United in the inaugural Premiership season 16 years ago, The Villans hovered in mid-table anonymity under the stewardship of much maligned former chairman Doug Ellis. However, with the motivational O'Neill at the helm and his backing from the new board, I think the club may well be on the verge of adding to their proud history.

Upon appointment, O'Neill admitted that 'Trying to restore it [Aston Villa] to its days of former glory seems a long way away' but also added 'why not try?' Followers of the club were optimistic, and the former Celtic boss hasn't disappointed. He may not have picked up any silverware during his 20 month spell, but I think he has got the club right where he wants it.

Despite fairly strong finishes in the top flight under the likes of John Gregory and David O'Leary, Villa were a side that clubs looked forward to playing against. But I believe O'Neill has changed this, and there are not many teams that go to Villa Park expecting to come away with anything. The mental aspect of football is very well documented in the modern game, and the man seems to be something of an expert in the matter. For example, his ability to produce a team that is greater than the sum of it's parts stands out against the free-spending habits of his contemporaries. This was evident in his five-year reign at Leicester and this season in steering his thin squad on the road to a UEFA Cup qualifying place.

Villa are now recognised as one of the top teams in the game and football fans are beginning to take note of their progress. So much so that England boss Fabio Capello will travel to Birmingham in order check the progress of some of his stars.

Their push for a UEFA Cup spot is still very much alive after an emphatic win in the Birmingham Derby today, and this should help them in the up-coming transfer market. O'Neill's phone will surely already be ringing with agents offering their clients to the club should they secure the European berth.

The summer is a time where chairman Randy Lerner needs to splash the cash in order to match O'Neill's and Gareth Barry's ambitions, and they should think big. Barry may be excited by the prospect of Liverpool's Peter Crouch, but also less inspired by the prospect of West Ham's John Pantsil, both of whom have been linked. Last year the gaffer attracted such quality as John Carew and Ashley Young to the club, but this time around he needs to go one step further.  He is the right man to do this, and given a few big signings,  I would certainly advise checking the betting odds on a top-five finish for his side next season.

Fans of other dark-horses Everton and Portsmouth may disagree, but I do not see Moyes and Redknapp being able to keep up with the pace of O'Neill. They, along with the other remaining Premiership clubs, should take note of Aston Villa's motto. They should be 'Prepared'.

The Villa faithful are thankful that the F.A overlooked O'Neill for the England job and they have become rapturous in their praise for what he has done for the club. Only Manchester United have scored more goals at home in the Premiership and no team has scored more away. Few who looked at the small roster of players on the squad page for the pre-season friendly against Inter Milan would have believed they would reach such dizzy heights. But producing teams that overachieve is the hallmark of O'Neill's career to date and with the promise of more quality and depth amongst the personnel, Villa's fans have every reason to be optimistic.