The nippy Scottish midfielder has yet to set the Premier League alight, but has shown signs of class that have left Villa fans hoping
A trainee at Celtic, Maloney rose to prominence as an attacking midfielder and in six years at Parkhead netted 37 goals in 139 appearances. Sixteen of those came during the 2005-06 season, after which he was rewarded with the Scottish Player and Young Player of the Year awards. Joining Villa for a cut-price £1m in January 2007 he has struggled to settle, citing homesickness, but has shown flashes of brilliance, including a curling free-kick on his debut at Manchester City and a double strike at Chelsea during 2007-08. He has established himself as a regular in the Scotland national side.