The Big Four are all worse than they were last season and the race for the Champions League is wide open

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Published 22:51 18/10/09

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Chelsea's defeat at Aston Villa underlines how the top four clubs are all poorer than they were this time last year.

The Stamford Bridge club have been hit by a transfer embargo from FIFA.

And Manchester United have lost Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez to Real Madrid and Manchester City respectively.

While Liverpool sold Xabi Alonso, and Alberto Aquilani is yet to fill the void as he has been crocked.

Arsenal for their part have lost Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City.

So I think it is the most wide open Premier League race since the inception of the division in 1992-1993.

And the halo of invincibility which has surrounded the leading four teams in recent years is certainly over.

It is being threatened by Manchester City and their ability to blow people financially out of the water.

While Tottenham and Aston Villa are both benefiting from having good motivational managers.

So how refreshing it would be if Sir Alex Ferguson, Carlo Ancelotti, Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez get a kick up the backside this season.

Maybe even up to three of the top four could drop out of the Champions League spots.

That is probably unlikely, but I can guarantee Liverpool and Arsenal will be looking over their shoulders.

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