What transformed Tony Morley from an in-and-out winger into a player who set the crowd alight with his exciting bursts down the flank and his power driven shooting? Was it good luck, good management ... or just that Tony finally found himself? Certainly it wasn't down to good luck although, inevitably, that factor plays a part in all our lives. Tony was signed by Villa in the summer of 1979, so he had had a full year in which to find his footballing feet with us. All players with ability need a platform from which to express themselves, and at Aston Villa we have the best platform in the world - the team.

Basically, two things have helped Tony to blossom. First, he has become more involved in every game; and secondly, he has the priceless asset of being able to score some spectacular goals. Tony had had a chequered career in the game since he first came to the attention of clubs when he was playing for Ormskirk Boys in Lancashire. At that time, while other lads were going off for England trials, he was always overlooked because he stood only 4ft. 10in. tall. Yet clubs still went to take a look at him, and finally it was Preston who took the chance on him when he left school.

I might add that Preston deserve considerable credit for the way they brought him along. Thanks to a body-building course of giant steaks and malt, plus weight training, the lad shot up to 5ft. 8in. and weighed in at around 12 stone. However, while in his first year with them he got through all the training, he didn't play in a single full game. Preston made him substitute for the B team, then he was given his head in reserve matches. Even then, he hadn't reached that 5ft. 8in. line on the wall. Once he travelled to a Central League match at Newcastle and - he was last off the coach - the steward wouldn't let him in, thinking he was one of the autograph hunters.

By the time he was 18, Tony had broken through to the England youth squad and become a first-teamer with North End. Then he claimed England Under-23 honours, and the way seemed clear for him to aim even higher. Arsenal stepped in, and Preston agreed to the transfer . . . but Tony politely declined to go to Highbury because, as he says, he genuinely felt that he wasn't ready for such a step up the Soccer ladder.

So when he did move, in February, 1976, it was to homely Turf Moor. But during his time with Burnley, he never seemed to hit form consistently. He would, on his own admission, have a handful of good games then a couple of stinkers. He found himself in and out of the first team, and it began to seem as if he would remain with Burnley for the rest of his career. Nobody else appeared to be taking much notice of him. But, quietly, I had been following the lad's progress, and I felt that all it needed was smeone to give him the confidence to turn on the style - which he undoubtedly had - in game after game.

Tony was getting settled into a house at Parbold, between Burnley and Ormskirk, and had just had the cooker installed when Burnley's manager at the time, Harry Potts, called him into the office. Something was cooking, all right, but it wasn't the offer of a new contract, as Tony had expected . . . it was to be told that Burnley and Aston Villa had agreed terms for his transfer.

New house or not, Tony didn't take a lot of persuading that the move to Villa Park would be in his best interests, and he has since discovered the truth of this. His form during season 1980-81 spoke for itself, and I like to think that Tony Morley is now coming good. Over the next four or five years, he should show everyone what he really can do.

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