Source: Team_Talk
Villa supremo vows to spend again
Lerner believes the credit crunch will not have a significant impact on the funds that will be made available.
But the American multi-millionaire is also eager to ensure Villa do not become embroiled in the financial difficulties which have hit other clubs in the past through reckless over-spending.
O'Neill spent around £50million on new players last summer and has made it clear the size of his squad needs to be significantly increased if Villa are to challenge for a Champions League spot.
Lerner said: "Will there be funds for players this summer? Yes. Like any club we are conscious of having money available for the summer.
"We are also conscious of managing the players leaving and trying to generate funds from that. It is a balancing act but, yes, there will be funds.
"Will the credit crunch impact on funds available this summer? I don't really view the credit crunch as a big issue in terms of the funding for the summer.
"But, if anything, what has gone on in the economy makes you very conscious of building a sustainable business because, in the end, that is what you are responsible for doing.
"To the extent that you are deficit spending, maybe you should think very hard about how you are ultimately going to pay it off and the consequences of not being able to pay it off.
"We know clubs that got into trouble before and those disappointments far exceed not having the best players and not winning what one sets out to win. They are long term problems that don't go away.
"That is more in my mind where things like the credit crunch impact on your thinking, impact on the psychology of spending and they should in my opinion."
Lerner added: "Will £50 million be available again this summer? I don't know sitting here now. If I was to come out and say 'yes' I would put the club at some disadvantage in terms of pricing.
"Suddenly players' costs go would up if you start saying what you are planning to spend.
"Do we need quite a few more players? I think we have discussed it. I think we have got players who are very good, and been recognised as very good, and a certain amount of continuity is starting to set in which is a part of the formula for success,
"I don't think 'quite a few' is necessary the right formula because 'quite a few' could imply you are constantly over-hauling and, when you do that, you pay the price of having guys who aren't used to playing with each other.
"Do Villa need to increase depth of squad? I think that is a matter for Martin. If he has said that, then I would accept that. Absolutely."
Lerner is content with the progress Villa have made under O'Neill and is confident he will remain long term even if the prized jobs in football become available.
He said: "We are doing okay. There are any number of initiatives from the beginning, some of which have been met, some of which have been put off and some of which went away and new ones have appeared.
"In my mind we are doing well on certain areas of the plans like upgrading infrastructure, finishing building at the training ground, upgrading some of the hospitality, bringing in new players.
"You want to do more as you get into it and those start to become the new plans.
"But if someone said when I arrived that we would have two successive top six finishes and done the work we have behind the scenes, I would have been delighted."
Lerner added: "Am I confident of keeping Martin O'Neill? I am long term even if a big job came up.
"I think Martin has bought into the club. I think he has emotionally invested. He has bought into me and my ambitions to some extent."
