The autumn of the season saw the departure of veteran defender Paul McGrath to Derby County, while the injured Gary Charles was replaced at right-back by the Portuguese Fernando Nelson.

The end of the season saw the arrival of Liverpool striker Stan Collymore for a club record fee of £7 million.

Long-serving defender Paul McGrath left in the autumn to sign for Derby County after more than seven years at Villa Park.

Another Villa defender, Phil King, who had been restricted to just three league appearances in as many years at the club, was transferred to Swindon Town.

Defender Carl Tiler was sold to Sheffield United for £500,000 after just 18 months at the club, having played just 12 league games due to injury.