It’s a well-known fact just how small and threadbare the Aston Villa squad is. Now, with an oncoming European campaign as well as the League, FA Cup and Carling Cup, Randy Lerner is going to have to open that big cheque book of his and not only do some signing, but do some smart signing.

There are several positions that need looking at within the squad and, when they are, the Villans will be able to push on...

'If O’Neill wants to be really ambitious then he may revisit his interest in Shaun Wright-Phillips now that he can offer European football'


Goalkeeper:  Scott Carson’s trial period has been somewhat of a success but with Martin O’Neill being reluctant to spend £10million on the young England international, he must have someone lined up to fill his gloves.

Ben Foster has been identified as a suitable replacement and, although he will be extremely difficult to prise from Manchester United, a loan deal would not be out of the question should they want to continue with Champions League hero Edwin van der Sar.

The youngster has been out injured for the majority of the season but a loan deal at Villa would be mutually beneficial for all parties as Sir Alex Ferguson would be keen for Foster to gain more Premier League experience, as would Foster himself.

This would then give O’Neill the chance to bring in American Brad Guzan to work as a number two and learn how the English game works. If that fails, there is always United's current number two Thomas Kuszczak, who would be a realistic long-term signing.

Right-back:  Having gone all season without a recognised full-back, O’Neill has had to shuffle the team about playing both Olof Mellberg and Craig Gardner in the position. With Mellberg’s departure to Juventus and Gardner still learning the trade, a right-back is a vital signing that needs to be made.

It’s no secret the interest O’Neill has in Porto’s Jose Bosingwa, but with a relatively high asking price and Chelsea showing an interest, this doesn’t look likely. Therefore Nelson, who O’Neill has already had a rejected bid forl should be one of the top targets. He has said he's happy at Benfica but if Villa were to up the undisclosed offer then this could happen.

At third choice, O’Neill could continue with his English policy and sign Middlesbrough’s Luke Young. Not the best option, but would be a much-needed addition to a side so desperate for a right-back.

Centre-back: Mellberg’s departure has left a gaping hole at the back, where he and Martin Laursen have been in outstanding form. The permanent signing of Curtis Davies after a successful loan period from West Bromwich Albion will go some way to softening the blow, but another centre-back is needed.

O’Neill is likely to sign a more developed player to replace Mellberg to continue the development of players like Davies, which is why it has come as no surprise that Villa have been linked with Daniel van Buyten, who should be allowed to leave German giants Bayern Munich this summer.

Right wing:  With Ashley Young being in outstanding form this season it has made him a marked man, so to speak. Teams have noticed that a large proportion of the Villa attack goes down the left and have started packing that side of the pitch to neutralise the threat from the pacey England star.

That’s why a player of similar ability is needed for the right side of midfield to be able to terrify teams down both flanks. I would love to say David Bentley for Villa, but that is highly unrealistic. The signing of Wayne Routledge in January was probably more of a back-up plan seeing as he hardly featured, but a long-term plan is much-needed.

Stiliyan Petrov is not the ideal winger as he isn’t the quickest of players and, despite recent good form, is still struggling to settle in England. I have long been a fan of Blackburn’s Morten Gamst Pedersen and he would be a signing that wouldn’t break the bank as he has not been in his best form this season.

This would free up Young to move to the right side and play Pedersen on the left to have a serious threat down both sides. If O’Neill wants to be really ambitious then he may revisit his interest in Shaun Wright-Phillips now that he can offer European football.

Centre midfield:  Another Chelsea player, Steve Sidwell, is being strongly linked with a move to Villa and O’Neill has stated he is being targeted as a partner to Gareth Barry, not a replacement. Nigel Reo-Coker has been outstanding all season since his move from West Ham so, although not the most important of positions to be filled, a signing will have to be made at some point to pack out the Villa engine room.

Forward:  Although Villa haven't struggled to bang in the goals, finishing third in the scoring charts behind Manchester United and Arsenal, they are still in need of a 20-goal-a-season hitman.

John Carew has been in fine form, scoring 13 goals along with numerous assists. If he can improve on that, a new striker may not be needed. There have been rumours in the past of a move for Newcastle’s Obafemi Martins and a signing like this would only add to an already impressive attacking line-up. O’Neill and Lerner have their work cut out to fill all the problem areas but, as well as this, they need to pack out the squad to cope with the demands of a European campaign.

Some people doubt the club's spending power of, but it’s not a question of not having the money, it’s due to O’Neill’s reluctance to spend big on players with inflated prices. Many doubted the £9million spent on Young, but look how that turned out. I, for one, am still fully behind the signings O’Neill is no doubt going to make.