Aston Villa boss Martin O?Neill has admitted that his club lacked depth last season and is intent on remedying that in the summer.
O’Neill cranked up the pressure on the club’s American owner Randy Lerner by openly confessing that he felt handcuffed to an extent when it came to team selection and substitutions.
“That’s something we know we’ve got to address over the summer and while talking about it is the easy part, we know what we need to do to push on,? he said, citing the fact that Martin Laursen started every single league game for them as case in point.
“It’s been a great effort and I’m delighted for Martin,? he added. ?Well done to him. For him to have played the number of games he has this season has been terrific but it would have been nice to have had the option to rest him.
“The same goes for some of the younger boys who’ve played a lot of games, it would have been nice to say ‘you’re sub today’ or ‘you’re not in the 16 - or 18 as it will be next year’ just to rest them. But we haven’t had the wherewithal.?
Justin Hoyte and Steve Sidwell have been heavily linked to the Villans, but even if both arrive they will still not have made up for the departures of Thomas Sorensen, Olof Mellberg, Patrik Berger and on-loan Liverpool ‘keeper Scott Carson from a sheer numbers perspective.
Derek Wanner, Goal.com
Gers hold firm against Viola
Huntelaar Tightlipped Concerning His Future
Villa Look To Fill Barry Void
Mutu eyes Gilardino reunion
Coppell: Shorey Will Set Sail