Well that’s his so called plan.  Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill has said he must add to his soccer squad to deal with the demands of European football next season.

Villa are almost assured of another season of continental competition though hope that will be in the Champions League rather than the UEFA Cup.

O’Neill decided to field what was largely a reserve side as Villa went out of the UEFA Cup at the hands of CSKA Moscow on Thursday night. It follows a tough season which began in the Intertoto Cup in July with the boss finally deciding finishing in the top four was more important than European football’s secondary competition.

Villa handed a debut to Marc Albrighton and also gave rare run-outs to Barry Bannan and Moustapha Salifou as they lost 2-0 in Russia.

O’Neill, who faced the wrath of fans who paid around £1,000 to make the long trip and only see the club’s fringe players in action, does not regret the decision. But he knows that if they are to progress next season they need greater strength in depth to cope with the demands of European football.

“I am now hoping, this time next year, if we get the chance again, we will be really strong,” insisted O’Neill. “We will need to be as strong as the top British teams who have been in this position before, like Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.