Villa boss Martin O’Neill will make finding a new centre-back his priority this summer as he prepares for life without Martin Laursen.

The injured claret and blue skipper will make a public announcement on his future next week, but it is widely expected he will admit defeat in his latest battle with a knee problem and quit the game.

Even in the unlikely event Laursen should opt to undergo surgery, he would be ruled out for the majority of the remaining year of his deal.

O’Neill admitted he would be forced to dip into the transfer market to address the situation a year earlier than he had expected.

He said: “He had a year left of his contract so it brings things forward a bit. He’ll be a major loss to us.

“I’ve been checking out players up and down the country and in other countries.  We’ve got 15 games covered at the weekend all over the place. But every other club will be doing that as well.

“We want to try and improve the team. I think that’s the important thing. If we’re going to try and keep going in the way we’re doing then that means trying to compete.”

“But it will not be easy this summer. Manchester City will be very strong and Tottenham have the finances.”

O’Neill also revealed owner Randy Lerner is conscious of the need to strengthen.

The manager said: “I think he’s pretty aware, he’s watched a lot of football now. He’s seen every single game and he’s been pretty excited by the way we’ve played, accepting the fact that the results have not fallen for us.“