Ellis vows to fund O’Leary’s spree when transfer window slides open

ASTON VILLA chairman Doug Ellis is prepared to provide financial backing for manager David O’Leary in the transfer window after the Irishman yesterday signed a new three and a half year contract.

But Ellis is adamant he will not allow Villa to suffer the financial problems encountered by O’Leary’s previous club Leeds.

O’Leary has presented Ellis with a list of five players who are potential targets next month as he looks to bolster one of the smallest squads in the Premiership. Ellis admitted three of those players “could be made available” by their respective clubs when the transfer window reopens in a fortnight.

But one of O’Leary’s chief targets, striker James Beattie, may not be available after Harry Redknapp insisted the player would not be leaving Southampton.

Ellis said: “Will David be able to bring players in? Subject to who we are talking about and the money being right, then the answer is yes.

“If you are saying will I back him, the answer is yes. Of the five players on the list he has given me, three could be made available. Although one of those is outrageously high, in excess of £9.5m (€13.9m).

“We are talking to the clubs about the possibility of doing something and we are still awaiting replies. If it is possible to obtain one or two players in January, I would be delighted.

“But, as long as I am chairman of Aston Villa we will never do a Leeds United. We are not on a level playing field with the Chelsea’s and Manchester United’s of this world but we are with the majority of the other clubs.”

Ellis, who confirmed a compensation clause had been inserted into O’Leary’s contract should any clubs be interested in prizing him away from Villa, has his sights firmly on a European place. He said: “In two years time we have got to be in Europe. That’s where the real money is. I would love to be in the Champions League but I am a realist and even the UEFA Cup is profitable.”

O’Leary is now committed to Villa until the summer of 2008 and Ellis has no doubts about his qualities as a manager. He said: “I was confident about him before he came here. I have faith in George Graham and David learnt a lot from him at Leeds and he has done well here.” O’Leary took over at Villa in May 2003 after the club had just avoided relegation by a mere three points under Graham Taylor.

Despite having to slash the club’s wage bill and the size of his squad, O’Leary steered Villa to sixth in the Premiership and they are again challenging for Europe this season. He has had only limited funds at his disposal but has spent wisely in bringing in Thomas Sorensen, Gavin McCann and Nolberto Solano.

O’Leary is likely to have in excess of £6m (€8.7m) - the offer he made unsuccessfully to Southampton for Beattie in August - to spend next month.