Aston Villa ready to ‘challenge Liverpool’ after what Whelan has spotted
Aston Villa are going all-out to secure a top-six finish next season and will mount a charge to challenge Liverpool and Man City in the near future, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, hailed the club’s “really good” early business in this summer’s transfer market.
Aston Villa have already added former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho, 29, midfielder Boubacar Kamara, 22, and centre-back Diego Carlos, 29, in an early flurry of business.
The Midlands giants also dipped into the market in January to add France international left-back Lucas Digne.
Football Insider revealed in April that Villa are set for a spending spree which could top £150million as the hierarchy look to back Gerrard in his first summer window at the club.
Whelan hailed the Aston Villa board for their generosity and proactiveness after a disappointing 14th-place finish in 2021-22.
When asked if their business is evidence Villa are targeting a top-six finish next term, he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “Yeah, absolutely.
“They’re looking to break into Europe this season – first and foremost. But they’re building a squad which they think is capable of challenging Liverpool and Man City.
“They’re quite a way off, but they’re going into the transfer market nice and early yet again.
“Steven Gerrard knows where he stands. It’s really handy when you have a generous board who aren’t afraid to spend the money and get business done quickly.
“They’re building a really good squad at Villa. If they’re not in that top six come next season – there may well be questions asked.”
In other news, pundit claim Aston Villa could sign new ‘Kieran Tierney’ after £25m update.