1. JORDAN LYDEN

Aston Villa can prove such a promising yet dismal breeding ground for Aussie defensive midfielders, just ask Chris Herd.

One of the more prominent young Aussies in Europe over the past few years, 23-year-old Lyden spent four years with Aston Villa in which he carved out a reputation as a highly skilled, combative, no-nonsense utility midfielder, who was capable of matching it with tough Championship and Premier League opposition.

Frustratingly, he always seemed on the brink of breaking into the first team, making four appearances for the club, garnering rave reviews and playing a decent spell on loan at Oldham before eventually competition and injuries seemed to catch up with him.

During a training ground drill in January this year, the midfielder suffered a freak muscle injury which kept him out for the rest of the season.

This seemingly signalled the end of Lyden’s Villa career, with the club securing promotion to the Premier League to add insult to injury.

Now a free agent, the utilitarian number six appears a prime candidate to return to the A-League for a rejuvenating season, a la Aiden O'Neill. But it should only be a pit-stop, because Lyden has phenomenal potential - just watch the video.

Quick, someone call the Mariners?