Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill has admitted it is becoming harder to compete with big-spending Manchester City (City 13/10 to win Premier League without Manchester United & Chelsea).
Both clubs were in the race for a Champions League place last season but both lost out to Tottenham Hotspur, who secured the coveted fourth spot by beating City 1-0 at Eastlands in the penultimate game of the campaign (City 1/2, Spurs 3/1 – Premier League Top Four Finish).
However, City have a cheque book which matches the size of their ambition and big things are expected of Roberto Mancini’s outfit for the 2010/2011 competition.
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, the Aston Villa manager was pessimistic about his side competing for fourth this season (Villa 7/1 – Premiership Top Four Finish).
He said: “Just when you think your team is getting there, getting close to fourth spot, City appear on the horizon with all this money. It seems to be getting further away.
“Well done Spurs for getting into the Champions League – but up until their second last game, they could have finished anywhere from fourth to seventh.
“Top four remains a possibility but to win the title, you need to have the squad. City will have 28 or 29 top-class players available.”
O’Neill was speaking in response to the transfer saga surrounding England international James Milner, who has been strongly linked with a move to the Eastlands outfit.
The Villa boss admitted earlier in the week that Milner had expressed his desire to leave Villa Park and he admits it would be a significant blow to his side’s top four aspirations should he leave.
“If we do end up losing a player like Milner, it won’t make it easier.”
“You have to replace him, replace his ability and experience, and do it instantly yet do it with someone of probably less value. That is tough.”
Unsurprisingly, City have spent more than any other Premier League club during the close season, signing a vast array of international talent.
Serbia international defender Aleksandar Kolarov became the latest signing on Friday after moving from Lazio in a deal reported to be in the region of £19million.
Kolarov became City’s fourth signing of the summer after they completed moves for Jerome Boateng (£10.5m), David Silva (£29m) and Yaya Toure (£24m).
This spending clout has forced Spurs manager Harry Redknapp to concede that City will win the title one day, provided owner Sheikh Mansour remains interested in bankrolling their endeavours (City 4/1 to win Premiership).
He said: “I genuinely think that eventually they will win the championship.
“If they continue and the owner stays involved, and he seems very keen, then I can see them in the next few years putting together a team that will win the Premier League.”
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