Former Aston Villa boss Graham Taylor believes his old club are one world class player away from breaking the top four.

In his column for the Daily Express, Taylor wrote: "Because of my past association with Villa, they are the club I would like to finish in the top four, but their last two games against Arsenal and Liverpool illustrated just what they are lacking in their squad. And that is the presence of a top-class, special player who can win a game on his own.

"Away to Arsenal, Villa were well in the game until Cesc Fabregas went on and inside 30 minutes had not only scored twice, but had taken the game by the throat and showed himself to be extra special. Arsenal 3, Villa 0.

"Just 48 hours later Fernando Torres scored the winning goal with almost the last kick of the game to give Liverpool a 1-0 win at Villa Park. It was his 50th goal in 72 games, none of them penalties, making him the fastest player to reach that milestone in the club's history."