#FootballFocus: Four Premier League fairytales

Premier League headlines will always be dominated by the top and bottom of the table, but this season has served up a fascinating middle ground.

Brighton, Brentford, Aston Villa and Fulham have all far outperformed early-season predictions to find their way into the top half of the league.

Least surprising of all is Brighton, whose 9th placed finish last year under Graham Potter set the tempo for a move upwards under new manager Roberto De Zerbi.

The Seagulls are in a lofty 6th position, ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea, and look completely comfortable near the top.

Losing Potter to Chelsea in mid-season initially looked to be a stumbling block, but shrewd signings from De Zerbi mean they are only looking up.

Japanese star Kaoru Mitoma has simply been a revelation alongside an excellent Pervis Estupiñán and revitalised Solly March.

They are far from flat-track bullies against lowly opposition either, holding their own against the very best and looking like they have the squad depth to take on Europe next season.

Moneyball Brentford, who were promoted at the start of last season, are in comfortable seventh after finishing 13th in their first season back.

Built on the back of team chemistry rather than superstars under Thomas Frank, the Bees have allowed striker Ivan Toney to flourish and have supported him amidst improper gambling charges.

They have the base of a club ready to make the Premier League their home and provide even more London derbies alongside similarly impressive Fulham.

Fulham are on a cold streak, losing their last three to drop to 10th, but considering they were promoted this season it has been an unbelievable showing.

With Marco Silva at the helm, the Cottagers have been stingy at the back, relying on Aleksandar Mitrovic to score goals at the other end.

West Ham and Crystal Palace are in the bottom half but look unlikely to be relegated, meaning London dominate the with seven clubs.

Milwall could add an eighth as they sit among Championship promotion places, flying in the face of traditional football hotspots in the north-west and midlands of the country.

Aston Villa are still flying the midlands flag from Birmingham however, and are one of the fairytale turnaround stories of the season, now in ninth place.

Languishing in a relegation battle under Steven Gerrard, the Villans are one of the form teams in the league since they appointed new manager Unai Emery.

Only league leaders Arsenal have gained more points (38) since Emery took over 15 matches ago, with second placed Manchester City (29) taking the same amount.

Helped by a spine of players, including Emi Martinez, Tyrone Mings, Ollie Watkins and Douglas Luiz, Villa look ready to retake their place among the league’s best after being a dominant force for the first 100 years of British football.

New owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris match that ambition with large funds. Keep an eye on this team next year.

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