First I've got to say how delighted I've been with Villa this season. It's been fantastic to see.

Now there's the tough clash with Arsenal to look forward to. It's always a tough match and I had plenty of them in my time with the club.

The Gunners have been written off a few times already this season but they play a wonderful brand of football and have done so for many years. It's just going to be a difficult game, as you'd expect.

But Villa are on fire at the moment and go into the match with plenty of confidence. They won at the Emirates last season but in terms of confidence that's coming from winning football matches in this campaign - in the here and now. Villa are defending brilliantly and attacking fluidly and scoring some great goals.

This is a big game for both clubs, in my opinion. This period in the season is an important time. Villa will either push forward or fall back. I think they have all the capabilities to push on now.

There have been some tremendous performances in recent weeks. As you would expect, the Manchester United result impressed me so, so much. It was a great team performance and considering the record against the champions, a brilliant effort. It just shows how far Villa have come.

It was a phenomenal effort and to follow it up with two more wins in a short space of time was vital. I saw Martin quoted as saying the Stoke win was the best of the season so far and I see what he means because the first two games will have taken a lot out of the lads so to win that physical clash was great.

Now it's going to be a very different encounter against Arsenal because they like passing the ball. But Villa can go into the game in a very positive frame of mind.

If Villa can get the win, that will be victories over all of the Big Four already this season. What a phenomenal record that would be. I have never heard of anyone doing that in recent times. But, again, Martin has it spot on. Just because you beat the big teams on one-off occasions doesn't make you world-beaters. The top clubs just keep on winning football games - it's about consistency every single week. That's vital in the Premier League but I think Villa are learning that art. It's about winning when you're not playing well - winning becomes a habit for those sides who have been there year after year.

One thing I have noticed this season is the strength in depth in the squad.

You look at defence as an example and we have Richard Dunne, James Collins, Carlos Cuellar, Curtis Davies and Ciaran Clark all battling away for those centre-back positions.

And just looking at the bench generally, there's Steve Sidwell, Nigel Reo-Coker and even John Carew was on there for the Stoke game. That says something.

But you need that strong squad during this period in the season because you're going to have injuries and suspensions.

I think there have been two standout stars so far this season.

I said when Villa signed Richard Dunne that it would be a fantastic bit of business and so it has proved.

Richard is a phenomenal defender and a player with valuable Premier League experience. I have played against him and always found him a tough guy to come up against. He's been a great addition.

James Milner, too, has been incredible - the best player so far this season. It's been a real success story.

His ability to switch positions and play central midfield, right midfield, left midfield and right-back is terrific for the team and the manager. He scores goals, his work-rate is amazing and he always gives his all for the team.

James was on loan at Villa when I was there and I always remember him as a fantastic athlete, who would run all day long, but also as a fantastic professional - he trained right, he ate right and he acted right. Now he has really matured into an established Premier League player.

He is an example to anyone that if you work hard at your game you can succeed. Like I said, he was an athlete when I was there and that's certainly not changed - he'll run all day and not look like he's going to run out of gas.

People said one of the main tasks this summer was replacing Martin Laursen and Gareth Barry and the two lads I have mentioned have certainly been up for the challenge of doing that.

Gabby Agbonlahor has been banging in the goals too and has looked sharp while Stiliyan Petrov has started where he left off, performing to a very high level every week. And when John Carew is on form, he's a real threat.

After Arsenal, we have another difficult game with Liverpool at Villa Park. The Reds are always a tough proposition and one of the best teams in the division.

But I have confidence in Villa - they are playing well and I fancy their chances in this one.

Liverpool are a top side - no question - but they have had injury problems and haven't been able to string three or four good results together in succession. That will have concerned Rafa Benitez.

It promises to be another great game.