Villa blogger Dave Bytheway draws his wish list for the summer as the season begins to draw to a disappointing close.

Well it’s that time of year, the time when nothing really counts any more results wise, there isn’t really anything left to play for.

How different things could have been though had we approached all the things in front of us differently.

The UEFA Cup, the transfer window, have all been major influences in this dissppointing end to what could have been a truly great season.

We don’t have the time to dwell though, as season 2009/10 will be the one to judge not just Villa, but most of all the management era of Martin O’Neill.

I fully expect O’Neill to go out this summer and really make an impact in the transfer market, so in this blog i’m going to throw a few names about with regards to who I think would take us to the next level.

Before that though, a few will have to go. I would sell the fringe players – the likes of Nigel Reo-Coker, Zat Knight, Moustapha Salifou, Marlon Harewood and Carlos Cuellar for example.

Then I would break the bank to keep our major assets of Gareth Barry, Stiliyan Petrov and John Carew.

We then need big big players to come and fill the gaps. I like the look of defender Brede Hangeland at Fulham. He’s big, strong and confident on the ball.

With him alongside Curtis Davies we would be stronger than this season without skipper Martin Laursen, who looks as though he is going to have to retire.

That is a major blow for us as Laursen is, in my opinion, the best centre half we have had since Paul McGrath. He will be sorely missed that’s for sure.

I would also draft in Sami Hyypia from Liverpool to add the experience to help the younger players, his undoubted quality would be a very good asset.

I’ve been slated before about this guy, but i’d also go to Tottenham and try and get Gareth Bale. He is more than just a left back and could give us much needed cover at left-wing too.

Regarding left wingers, my choice would be Middlesbrough’s Stuart Downing. He would give us more options, allowing Ashley Young or James Milner to play a little more central, and his left foot will always cause problems.

We really need a bit of bite in the midfield, someone who can break up play and cover the defence.

Someone in the Claude Makelele mould, but who i’m not too sure. I think Tom Huddlestone from Tottenham could do a job there, allowing Barry and Petrov to take up their more natural attacking roles.

We also need a 20 goals a season striker, a goal poacher. We have the strength of Heskey and Carew, the pace of Agbonlahor, all we miss is the finishing touch.

Someone in the mould of Michael Owen of old would fit perfectly, but I fear Owen’s best days are well behind him. Maybe a bit of flair from the continent wouldn’t go a miss in this position.

As well as the main buys this summer, we also need strength in depth, as we seriously can’t afford to use the ‘small squad’ excuse for yet another year!

So, basically having written off this season, we welcome Hull to B6 on Bank Holiday Monday at 8pm. What a daft time for a kick off on a Bank Holiday!

I think this will be a good open game, with Hull having everything to play for I expect a high scoring game too, with Villa coming out 4-2 winners.

Have a good weekend and enjoy the Bank Holiday.

Up the Villa!