Lerner ready to fund big buys

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner would spend up to €38million on one player if Martin O'Neill found the right candidate, according to American's right-hand man.

Villa manager O'Neill needs to strengthen before the transfer window closes on August 31st, especially if he loses Gareth Barry to Liverpool, and he has apparently being told by Lerner that the cheque book is open.

To date he has parted company with five members of last season's squad and only brought in goalkeepers Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan and midfielder Steve Sidwell during the summer.

Lerner's confidant, General Charles Krulak, is adamant the funds are available if and when O'Neill asks for it.

"Randy has told Martin to get the players he wants and not worry about the money. We all know we need more players. We trust Martin to know what the squad needs and to go and get the players," said Krulak today.

"If Martin O'Neill came to Randy and said 'I need £30million for player X' and the player would fit into what we are trying to do, Randy would have his cheque book out before Martin could get past the player's name.

"Additionally he will be equally ready to fund the other players that Martin says he needs. Randy has never said 'no' to Martin.

"Randy is no Roman Abramovich but he does have a wallet and he will open it. Martin knows that. Randy has made it perfectly clear we do not have to sell a player to buy a player."

Krulak reaffirmed Lerner's commitment to Villa and insisted: "Randy is in it for the long term. He wants Europe, he wants winning football. He wants entertainment for the fans.

"This is more than a business to him. Villa is a passion."

Villa are currently undergoing a training camp in Spain ahead of the launch of their Uefa Cup campaign against Icelandic side FH Hafnarfjordur next week.

Skipper Barry has stayed behind in the hope that his proposed deal to Liverpool will finally go ahead if the Merseysiders can meet Villa's valuation of the player of around €24million.

Villa kick-off against Hafnarfjordur next Thursday (August 14th) at 7pm Irish time.

The first leg match will be played at the Laugardalsvollur Stadium in Reykjavik with the return at Villa Park on August 28th.