Villa to splash out in the summer

Aston Villa manager David O’Leary has been given the green light by chairman Doug Ellis to embark on a summer spending spree - believed to be in the region of £20million.

O’Leary had thought he would only have around £4million and admitted to have been looking to bring in free transfer signings.

But now he has been told by Ellis that he will have “substantial” funds and is looking to bring in four players in time for the 2005-2006 campaign.