Nigel Reo Coker, Artur Boruc, Craig Bellamy, Steve Sidwell and David Nugent have all been linked with Villa over the past fortnight and expectations rise that O'Neill will use the summer to start flexing Randy Lerner's impressive financial muscle. Lee Hendrie, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Jlloyd Samuel are almost certainly heading for the exit but O'Neill is keen to allay fears (and instil some purpose for the remainder of the campaign) that others may follow.
"I have a fairly good idea of what's necessary to improve the team," said O'Neill. "But some people can come in and surprise you and others can come in and disappoint you." There are eight games remaining and Villa are not yet safe so the door remains open for other players to convince the manager of their worth. "Until you've absolutely made your mind up, you shouldn't have tunnel vision as a manager," he continued. "My mind is still open until the end of the season."