If the Gareth Barry transfer saga was long and predictable last summer then it is completely the opposite this time around.
Man City have already made a bid with less than two weeks having elapsed since the last day of the season and the Villa midfielder is now in talks with the Mark Hughes' men.
It was expected by many that Barry, a target for Liverpool prior to last season, would not sign a new contract in a bid to secure a free transfer after next year's World Cup in South Africa.
But, to the shock and distaste of many a Villan, it now seems that the England midfielder will leave for a side who have failed to qualify for Europe.
When rumours were abound about a move to Anfield, Barry stated his desire to play Champions League football. He said it was his dream to play for the Reds.
If he had left for Liverpool, fans would have just about understood and waved him goodbye with a sense of gratitude.
Now it seems, Barry is willing to give up on his dream all in the name of more money.
Loyalty
Villa fans may have been naive enough to think that their star man would be loyal after 12 years at the club and who could blame them? Surely he wouldn't be another Gareth Southgate or a Dwight Yorke?
But as everyone has come to realise there is no longer a place for loyalty or staying true to your word in football. The mega bucks of the modern era have seen to that.
One thing is for sure, it will be fascinating to see what Barry has to say should he join City.
What will be his reasoning? Will he simply say "I did it for the money"? Or, will he dress it up and say that Man City are a bigger club than Villa and they have more chance of breaking the big four dominance?
Whatever his explanation, he will be viewed with contempt in the Midlands.
As fans we thought he may just be a little different. We thought that all the things he said last summer about Martin O'Neill were just agent talk. And we honestly believed he would only move to fulfil a life long ambition.
More fool us.
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