As a keen reader of omens I don't know whether the close similarity of the names of Hughton and Houghton would be a good thing. Eric the Villa legend, bandy legged thunderboots, last Villa manager to lift the FA Cup, got us relegated but knew and would sing "An Old Shirt of Claret and Blue". If Chris comes Eric will doubtless get as many name checks in these pages as Kieran Clarke and Randy Learner.