O’Neill plans spending spree as Villa march on
Goals from Luke Moore and Juan Pablo Angel earned Villa three points to lift them to second in the Premiership behind Manchester United.
Lerner was given a rousing reception by the 35,000 crowd when taking his place in the directors’ box following his successful £62.6 million (€92.6 million) takeover of Villa.
But O’Neill is not getting carried away with Villa’s flying start and will hold talks with Lerner in the next few days regarding possible transfer targets.
O’Neill said: “It’s really great that Mr Lerner is here. He is well intentioned as regards his plans for Aston Villa and I will sit down with him in the next day or two to discuss things.
“In terms of new signings, time is pressing. But we are going to try and do something about it. There are good players at the club who need a bit of help.
“It will be really important to us to get some people in. There is an amount of money available that would have been there regardless of whether or not a takeover took place and I am going to utilise it.
“There is a feelgood factor at the moment and it would be good for the club to get someone in before the window shuts. The squad needs bolstering and all thoughts will be channelled towards that until Thursday.”
O’Neill was full of praise for his side’s performance, with skipper Gareth Barry celebrating signing a new four-year contract by producing another fine display in midfield.
O’Neill said: “It’s a big lift for this club that Gareth is staying. He is a terrific player. He was a terrific player long before I arrived at the club.”
O’Neill added: “Seven points from three games is a wonderful start but that’s all it is. I’ve been in the game a long time and know the next week can be disappointing. That’s not putting a dampener on things but let’s just get a touch of realism.”
Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder saw his side slump to their first defeat in 13 games and they played the final half hour with 10 men after £10m (€14.8m) record signing Obafemi Martins was stretchered off.
Roeder expects him to return to action after the forthcoming international break.
Opta Fact: This is Villa’s best start to a season in the 21st century.
Opta Fact: Newcastle haven’t won their opening away game of the season since 1997
ASTON VILLA: Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Whittingham, Davis, McCann, Barry, Moore, Angel, Agbonlahor.
NEWCASTLE: Given, Carr, Bramble, Moore, Babayaro (Luque 45), Solano (N’Zogbia 45), Parker, Emre (Butt 56), Duff, Milner, Martins.
Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).
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