Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has promised manager Martin O'Neill money to spend this summer.

While newly-promoted neighbours Birmingham have had a busy start to the summer, Villa have been distinctly quiet and are in need of recruits having lost Gareth Barry, Stuart Taylor and Martin Laursen.

Lerner thinks the world of O'Neill, who has been at the helm since 2006, and believes he is the right man to continue the club's progression.

The American billionaire is delighted with O'Neill's work to date at Villa Park and has now promised he will have cash to spend this summer in order to strengthen his squad.

"Martin's achievements have been superb," stated Lerner in 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.