O’Neill: Villa can’t match the big spenders

MARTIN O’NEILL has admitted Aston Villa “won’t be able to compete financially” with the big four clubs in the Barclays Premier League.

But the Villa manager insists he is still driven on to succeed and to overcome that disadvantage.

Villa have been in the top six virtually all season and were in strong contention for a Champions League spot until a poor run of results left them trailing Arsenal by seven points.