Villa supremo has chequebook ready

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is willing to splash out £30million on one player - according to his right hand man General Charles Krulak.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill is aware of the need to further strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes on August 31.

And Krulak said: "If Martin O'Neill came to Randy and said 'I need £30million for player X' and the player would fit into what we are trying to do, Randy would have his cheque book out before Martin could get past the player's name."

To date he has parted company with five members of last season's squad and only brought in goalkeepers Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan and midfielder Steve Sidwell during the summer.

He added: "Randy has told Martin to get the players he wants and not worry about the money. We all know we need more players. We trust Martin to know what the squad needs and to go and get the players.

"Additionally he will be equally ready to fund the other players that Martin says he needs. Randy has never said 'no' to Martin.

"Randy is no Roman Abramovich but he does have a wallet and he will open it. Martin knows that. Randy has made it perfectly clear we do not have to sell a player to buy a player."

Krulak reaffirmed Lerner's commitment to Villa and insisted: "Randy is in it for the long term. He wants Europe, he wants winning football. He wants entertainment for the fans.

"This is more than a business to him. Villa is a passion."