For simple logic like replicating 74/4000 series logic, Verilog is a piece of cake to learn. Really! You should just look at some basic examples of how to create counters, shift registers, combinatorial logic, etc.
I think I picked up the basics in an afternoon, and can now string together much more complicated logic without being restricted to what was available in those logic families.
I have no experience with VHDL, but I'd imagine for simple logic it would also be very easy to learn.
And if ISE is anything like Quartus, then it should be able to show you a "schematic" version of your Verilog/VHDL, so you can still compare it at that level.