Premiership: Merson urges Villa to avoid past mistakes

Paul Merson has urged Aston Villa to avoid a repeat of the winter woe that has struck them in the past three seasons if they are to maintain a challenge for a Champions League spot.

The Villa skipper is all to aware that the club have spoilt their good early work in the 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000-01 campaigns by hitting a mid-season slump.