Villa manager Martin O’Neill has declared himself happy with his summer’s transfer dealings – and hailed the squad as stronger than last season.

O’Neill was the third biggest spender of the transfer window, spending over £40million.

This has bought in Stewart Downing for up to £12million, Stephen Warnock for £8m, Andy Marshall on a free transfer, Fabian Delph at up to £8million, Habib Beye for £2.5million, James Collins at £5million and Richard Dunne for £6million.

The Villa boss lost key duo Martin Laursen and Gareth Barry as well as Zat Knight over the summer – but is confident his close-season shopping will leave Villa even better equipped in the long term.

O’Neill said: “I couldn’t be more pleased. I think we have strengthened the side. It’s been very pleasing indeed. I have that extra defensive strength in that I was looking for.

“Delph will be a really, really fine player for us. Downing already is. When he is fit he will add plenty to our squad. I think the Richard and James will help us immensely.

“We’ve lost two really fine players in Barry and Laursen. They will be hard to replace.”