Villa boss vows to splash the cash

Updated 11.20 Thu Jun 28 2007

Keywords: Martin O'Neill, Aston Villa, football, sport, Premier League

Martin O'Neill has reassured Aston Villa fans that he will be entering the transfer market.

Left-back Jlloyd Samuel, midfielder Gavin McCann and right-back Aaron Hughes have left Villa Park this summer.

"We are looking to strengthen the squad in the next month and we want to be in a position where we can challenge" - Martin O'Neill

But to date O'Neill has yet to bring in any new signings, despite "significant funds" being pledged by owner Randy Lerner.

The Irishman is already trying to resurrect attempts to sign West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker and is interested in West Brom play-maker Jason Koumas.

He told Aston Villa's official website: "We are looking to strengthen the squad in the next month and we want to be in a position where we can challenge.

"But I don't want to talk about who those players are going to be at this stage because there's been a lot of speculation and we seem to have been linked with almost everybody. But the supporters can rest assured we will be strengthening the squad."

In January O'Neill brought in Shaun Maloney, John Carew and Ashley Young.