Alex McLeish wasn't bluffing after all.

'Nothing," the Villa manager had said, a week or so ago, when quizzed on what transfer window activity he expected to be involved in. Few doubted the sincerity of his brusque and honest response, though there was perhaps still a fleeting suspicion that McLeish was putting on an absolutely brilliant poker face.

Did the coy old boy have a sneaky deal or two under his sleeve?

Can a season turn on a single result?

Villa fans have to believe it can, and after the false start of beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, only to be shown up at home to Swansea two days later, fresh optimism can be felt since last weekend’s pulsating win against Wolves.

Wry smiles among the Villa Park faithful last week with the confirmation of Robbie Keane's loan move from LA Galaxy.

Why the wry? Because 'Keane to Villa' has been arguably one of the longest-running transfer sagas in recent club history. Villa have finally got their man - for a few weeks, at least - some 12 or 13 years since first being linked with the striker.

What a contrast that was.

From the champagne corks literally popping on New Year's Eve, the day Villa won at Stamford Bridge, to two days later.

The Christmas decorations were taken down at my house on the second day of 2012, and Villa fell to defeat to Swansea City - a fourth consecutive home loss at Villa Park (the previous three coming against Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal), and a first away league win of the season for the newly-promoted Welsh club.

I have absolutely no doubt that it was an innocent slip from Marc Albrighton, but even so, the Villa winger was probably more accurate with his first tweet following the drab home defeat to Liverpool.

'Tough game!' he messaged. 'At least we only have 3 days to wait until we can't put right!'

Quite, Marc. Although he quickly realised his spelling error and tweeted, 'I did mean 'can' put it right!', Albrighton's unintentionally echoed what many Villa fans are feeling heading into Christmas.

And so, with immaculate timing, Martin O'Neill is back in football, emerging from the shadows and pitchside Champions League chit-chat with Roy Keane and Gareth Southgate - two men who know plenty about managing north east clubs - to take over at Sunderland.

His decision to succeed Steve Bruce at the Stadium of Light could not have been more poignantly made in the hearts and minds of Villa fans.

We are approaching Christmas, after all, the traditional time of year to reminisce and indulge in nostalgia, and considering that discussion over O'Neill - his time as Villa manager, the manner of his abrupt departure and the legacy he left behind - has barely been far from the agenda since he walked away from Villa Park in August 2010, it has yet again sparked debate and counter-debate.

'Given...'

Of course; great goalkeeper, great signing; in good form, which is probably just as well, as he'll have a busy night.

'Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Warnock...'

Carlos! Back at right-back, just like the Martin O'Neill days again. Still, Hutton's had an indifferent start and I like Cuellar, even though I prefer him at centre-back. Bit disappointed that James Collins has kept his place again - when is McLeish going to give Ciaran Clark a go?

It was the interview Villa fans had been waiting impatiently for; the first public utterances from owner Randy Lerner since the wind of charge swept through Villa Park around 18 months ago.

Perhaps it hasn't been quite that long since Lerner last gave anything approaching an interview, but it certainly feels that way.

It's been a typically uneventful week at Villa.

Barry Bannan was charged with driving offences following a motorway crash last month, wild rumours of a club takeover, with owner Randy Lerner selling up, popped up on internet forums, Gary Gardener scored a couple of absolute beauties for England's under-21s, and Emile Heskey's partner burnt a roast pork dinner, prompting a visit from the local fire brigade.

I've been forced to ditch the theme of this post, and start all over again. An idea conceived in the days leading up to the Norwich game, an article already half-written. Now it's useless, unfit to publish. And I'm delighted at that.

I had planned to write about how Villa are a side shorn of inspiration, following the summer sale of Ashley Young, a player who - though bafflingly criticised as 'lazy' by some fans - could almost always be relied upon to do something positive with the ball.