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30 Greatest Teams in Premier League History

By Benjamin Taylor

Who will lift this trophy in May and join these 30 teams among the greatest ever to compete in the English Premier League? (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Who will lift this trophy in May and join these 30 teams among the greatest ever to compete in the English Premier League? (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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21. Aston Villa, 1995-96

22 Dec 1996: Dwight Yorke of Aston Villa challenged by Chris Perry of Wimbledon, during the Premier League game at Villa Park, Birmingham. The match ended in a 5-0 win to Aston Villa. Mandatory credit: Clive Brunskill/Allsport
22 Dec 1996: Dwight Yorke of Aston Villa challenged by Chris Perry of Wimbledon, during the Premier League game at Villa Park, Birmingham. The match ended in a 5-0 win to Aston Villa. Mandatory credit: Clive Brunskill/Allsport /

Starting XI: M. Bosnich (GK); G. Charles, G. Southgate, P. McGrath, U. Ehiogu, A. Wright; I. Taylor, M. Draper, A. Townsend; S. Milosevic, D. Yorke.

This was as close as Villa have ever come to having a team with the calibre to win a title.

Brian Little’s unconventional 5-3-2 formation turned out to be a perfect fit for the players at his disposal. An incredibly solid back line of Bosnich, Southgate, McGrath, and Ehiogu was coupled with the experience and set-piece prowess of Andy Townsend in midfield. This spine of the team was flanked by youthful, energetic wing backs in Charles and Wright, and tireless midfielders in Taylor and Draper. Up front, Savo Milosevic was unconvincing as Dean Saunders’ replacement, but young Dwight Yorke alongside him was a revelation, providing explosive pace and a nose for goals – he bagged 17 in the league alone. With Yorke in such superb form, the team around him could play within their limitations. Villa finished the season in 4th place and were considered one of the country’s finest teams, also winning the League Cup and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals in 1996.

Two more solid but unspectacular seasons followed, including a UEFA Cup quarterfinal in 1998. But that summer, Yorke was sold to Manchester United, and Villa’s chances of challenging for the title departed with him.

Next: No. 20

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