Kevin Phillips could not be blamed for feeling ill at ease about this week's longawaited arrival of Aston Villa's new #6.5 million striker Milan Baros.
Following Villa manager David O'Leary's announcement yesterday that Baros will start against Blackburn Rovers tomorrow, it looks like either Phillips or Juan Pablo Angel will have to make way.
Nevertheless, Phillips is pleased his new club has captured a player of such pedigree and renown.
"He might be another striker," said the former England player. "But it keeps you on your toes and gives you the competition for places you're looking for.
"It's been on and off and everyone at the club is delighted we've finally got him.
"Let's face it, I've not been in too many teams who've signed players for #6.5 million. And I'm sure it doesn't stop there. If we want to challenge for honours we know we need better strength in depth."
O'Leary agrees: "Milan has already given everyone a lift.
"The club needs the boost that he's brought us. We've got him for a good price without being ridiculous, and it fits in with the way we're trying to do things here.
"I'd love to have three or four quality ones like him. The Villa public want three or four quality signings and we've given them one from that league.
"Milan will play from the start on Saturday.
"He needs a lot of 90 minute games to bring him up to speed and then we'll see how he goes."
Most Villa fans will hope it is Phillips who gets the nod to start alongside Baros tomorrow. Judging by his poor form in Villa's three games so far, it ought to be the ineffectual Angel who makes way.
Phillips scored his first goal for the club just four minutes into his Villa career, was sidelined at Old Trafford last week with a stomach muscle injury and was the unlucky one sacrificed at Fratton Park on Tuesday night for tactical reasons when Nolverto Solano's red card forced a reshuffle.
"It's been a weird start to the season for me," admitted the man who needs another 18 goals to bring up his 200 in professional football.
"I would have loved to have played at Old Trafford, only to pick up that injury, and the other night I would like to have stayed on.
"And, let's face it, being a former Southampton player, it could not have been a more popular substitution.
"Now it just feels like the season is starting all over again. But, if I could get off the mark against Blackburn in the same way I did against Bolton, then I'd be very happy."
Having been part of the Sunderland team that went down from the Premiership two years ago, Phillips was horrified to go through the experience of relegation again with Southampton in May. But he is convinced that coming to Villa can again get him firing on all cylinders.
"At Southampton, we had a capable team, but just had key injuries at the wrong times and I still got double figures in both seasons there.
"I also scored on my Southampton debut, then not till Christmas. But I'm hoping that, come this Christmas, I'll have scored a hell of a lot more than that."
Meanwhile, Mathieu Berson has returned to France. Last summer's #1.6million signing from Nantes, who has never seriously figured in O'Leary's thinking, has joined Auxerre on loan for the rest of the campaign.
