Source: Team_Talk
Villa expects future City CL challenge
But O'Neill is also confident Villa will be in a stronger position this summer to attract better quality players to sustain their own challenge for a top four place than in previous years.
City have under-achieved in the Premier League despite their financial riches and an audacious attempt to sign Kaka during the January transfer window.
But O'Neill believes Mark Hughes' side will have gelled by the start of next season.
The former Celtic boss said: "I expect Manchester City to be challenging for a Champions League spot next season. Whatever hiccups they have had this season, particularly away from home, I think they can rectify.
"They will have the strength in depth, they will have the players, and they will be able to add to the squad. They will be a major player and will have the wherewithal to deal with it.
"But I am hoping we can also strengthen accordingly (in the summer). I think a lot of players will look at us in a greater and more favourable light than a couple of seasons ago.
"They will see that players get the opportunity to go and play and have a free rein to express themselves individually - like Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor, James Milner and Gareth Barry.
"They will see a club that is definitely improving. Whether we can continue the improvement is another issue - but that would be the general view we have established here."
O'Neill believes Villa have shrugged off the disappointment of surrendering a two-goal lead against Stoke in the final three minutes of Sunday's 2-2 draw.
He said: "We have got Sunday out of our system. It was disappointing but it has gone. We have won a number of games ourselves in the last five minutes this season so I don't feel so bad about it.
"We are going to try and stick with the top four. We will still be there or thereabouts at the end.
"We have an exceptionally difficult run-in, and have games away to Liverpool and Manchester United, but I want this club to be qualifying for Europe every single year by some way or another."
Man. City 6/4, Aston Villa 7/4, Draw 9/4
