Last Updated: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:36
Owner Randy Lerner has revealed that Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill will have funds to bolster his squad ahead of the new season.
The American billionaire has broken his silence as the club's supporters have become anxious at the lack of spending this summer, while skipper Gareth Barry and goalkeeper Stuart Taylor have both joined Manchester City and Martin Laursen has retired. And, as newly-promoted City rivals Birmingham have been throwing money about to snap up six new signings, Lerner insists O'Neill will get cash to try and keep Villa on an upward trend.
Villa have secured European football via top-six finishes in the past two seasons and the target is now to try and break into the top-four which brings with it Champions League qualification.
"Martin's achievements have been superb," Lerner told the Daily Express. "We have improved steadily and we have qualified for Europe two seasons in a row.
"He has a reputation as a very good manager, with good success, and that will play a part when playing are thinking of coming to Aston Villa.
"The funds will be in place for him."
Villa fans who expect the team to be significantly strengthened by the time the club get their Premier League campaign underway against Wigan on August 15 can use a £10 free bet to tip them to challenge the league's big boys next term.