Source: SKY_Sports
O'Neill giving nothing away
Martin O'Neill remains tight-lipped regarding potential late transfer window activity at Aston Villa.
The Ulsterman has bided his time in his pursuit of new recruits this summer, with few additions made to an already small squad.
Stewart Downing, Habib Beye and Fabian Delph have all arrived, but Martin Laursen has retired, Zat Knight has been offloaded to Bolton and Gareth Barry joined Manchester City.
O'Neill is, therefore, still keen to strengthen before the window slams shut on 1st September.
He is, however, keeping his cards close to his chest and is refusing to reveal the identity of any of those still on his wish list.
"I cannot comment on any individual. But we are still looking to bolster the squad," he said.
"It goes without saying that defensively we are still looking for a Martin Laursen-type player and it is not easy in this day and age.
Deadline
"I hope that we will be able to get in a new player before the deadline but until you get the players actually signed it would be difficult to comment.
"But we know that we have about a week to get the squad together."
While O'Neill remains hopeful regarding his chances of landing further fresh faces, he has admitted that transfer business is proving difficult for every top-flight side at present.
He added: "I think the proof of how difficult it might be is in the fact that a number of clubs have not done a great deal of business.
"I am talking about Premier League clubs. That might tell you something and of course the market gets a bit disjointed as well and everything has a follow-on effect.
"All of those things are taking place at this moment but I am hoping we will be able to add some players to our squad because it will be important to us in the coming months."
