As you know, I tend to keep a fairly quiet counsel on transfer rumours and let things take their course. Especially now, with Martin O'Neill firmly at the helm and the effects of his leadership beginning to show, it's worth just trusting in the manager's experience and sense.

However, before the whirlwind starts in earnest, I thought I'd give you my tuppence-ha'penny on what I reckon is going to happen in the summer window. We're going to have to look for another striker, and a proven goalscorer at that. There may be some pickings from the relegated clubs - especially if West Ham don't beat the drop (which I think they will). But I suspect Darren Bent will go for a bigger club and Marlon King isn't good enough.

I continue to think that Spurs have an embarrassment of riches in the striker department. Dimitar Berbatov may well move to United if they can't get Fernando Torres, and Jermaine Defoe seems equally unlikely to me. My tip, backed by the press, is that Robbie Keane will join the claret-and-blues in the summer.

Given O'Neill's and John Robertson's insistence on pace and width, I see another wide forward joining the club. I don't think we'll be the club to prize Shaun Wright-Phillips away from Chelsea, if anyone does. But I do think Craig Bellamy is set for a move to Villa Park, based on the rumours I hear. £8m would be top dollar for a troublesome dressing-room influence, but he's played under O'Neill before and done well. Nailed on, I reckon.

With Gavin McCann out of favour and presumably on his way, a combative box-to-box midfielder is a priority. Whilst I'd love Claude Makelele or Owen Hargreaves, they are both out of our league right now. Everton look likely to spare us the nightmare of Joey Barton, and whilst I would settle for either Steve Sidwell or Nigel Reo-Coker, I think we will see Sidwell in B6 next season.

I thought Aaron Hughes played well against Sheffield United - well enough to earn a place as a squad player for next season, especially as he played such a fine game at Old Trafford in the FA Cup. But a first-choice right back is vital, and here I think that Luke Young may well be tempted by the future promise at Villa Park. We won't get Micah Richards from Man City (though I suspect he will move). But Young would be a great signing nonetheless.

I like Thomas Sorensen - he's a decent bloke and a good shot-stopper. But to break into the top six we need a goalkeeper who can command his box with authority and aggression. I am in no doubt that O'Neill will use his Celtic connections to bring in Artur Boruc, and that would be a coup if everything the Celtic fans say about the lad is right.

As far as the exit door is concerned, I think it is certain that the wage bill will be lightened by the departures of: Sorensen; Mark Delaney; Samuel; Lee Hendrie; Eric Djemba-Djemba and Chris Sutton. That's five in and six out, but I would hope that at least one of the Academy crop would be offered a first-team contract in the close season.

There are, of course, question marks over Steven Davis and Liam Ridgewell. I believe both to be superb footballers who deserve their place in next season's squad and who O'Neill should fight to keep. The problem has been that the gaffer has preferred Craig Gardner to Steven Davis and Cahill to Gary Ridgewell, and my guess is that both could leave in the pursuit of regular first team football.

I hope the boss can charm them out of that decision. If he can't, then both would need to be replaced to maintain a strong squad for our assault on the European places. I wonder whether Curtis Davies and Jason Koumas of West Brom are on the radar screen. Personally, I hope we keep Davo and Ridge.

Who would you like to see come and go from Villa Park? Post a comment below or submit an article.


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