Aston Villa made a flying start to the 2008/2009 season. Between August and January the Villains only lost three league matches, found themselves in the UEFA Cup's round of 32 and in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Then suddenly in February everything fell apart. A 3-1 defeat away to Everton which saw them exit the FA Cup was the start of a slide which has seen Villa lose to Chelsea, Manchester City, strugglers Tottenham, and crash out of the Europe to CKSA Moscow. Sandwiched between these losses was a harsh draw against Stoke at Villa Park, the Potters managed to strike twice just before the death to take a point.

With a visit to Anfield on the horizon this weekend the red warning flags are well and truly flying at Villa Park. Two months ago the question marks were surrounding Arsenal as Arsene Wenger's outfit found themselves slightly adrift of Martin O'Neill's charges. Yet today it's Arsenal who find themselves in the top four after soundly beating Blackburn 4-0 on the same weekend Villa fell 2-1 to Arsenal's bitter rivals Tottenham. It's obvious that Villa have fallen apart, but the question is what caused it?

Injuries could be blamed, but on the other hand Arsenal have seen their squad devestated by injuries this season. Fatigue is another, but there are seasoned players in this Villa side, players with much European experience. My opinion is that the team's confidence is shattered. They haven't won a match since a 2-0 win over Blackburn at Ewood Park on February 7th and they know Arsenal have upward momentum, they felt Arsenal coming and buckled under the pressure.

The last month has left Villa with a task as tall as their striker John Carew. Martin O'Neill will have to call upon all of his knowledge and experience to right an evermore sinking ship before it capsizes. Arsene Wenger is getting his players back, and O'Neill's are losing the plot.

Premier League club Aston Villa recently announced a sponsorship deal for the 2008/2009 season. The deal is with local children's hospice Acorns and Villa will carry the charity's logo for free this season.

AVFC has had a relationship with Acorns since 2006 and offered the shirt sponsorship after being informed that Acorns needed to care for 1,000 more children. In making the deal Villa have passed up a rumored £2 million offer from an internet gaming company.

Club owner Randy Lerner and manager Martin O'Neill have been instumental in the club's relationship with Acorns and have expressed their pride over the sponsorship arrangment.

The deal certainly deserves praise at a time when clubs are known to pinch every penny. Villa, like Barcelona's deal with UNICEF, have shown that there are more important things than money and deserve a round of applause for their efforts.