Villa manager Martin O’Neill has warned fans not to expect a flood of new blood into the club when the transfer window reopens in January.

The claret and blues have climbed to the heights of fourth place in the Premier League with their current squad, and are primed for another fresh push to the Champions League spots in the 2010 portion of the campaign.

With this in mind, the manager does not see the need to bring players in – unless there is anybody heading for the exit at Villa Park.

The uncertainty surrounding striker Emile Heskey is another worry, with the England international awaiting the result of a scan on the groin injury that forced him off in the first-half of Saturday’s 2-0 win against Stoke.

If O’Neill does decide to strengthen, it’s a fair bet that will be the area that could force his hand.

But the Villa boss said: “I wouldn’t see at this minute us being active in bringing players in January. Things change, but as we speak I don’t think we will be bringing people in unless somebody left.

“I know it is only round the corner but I have not had long discussions with the owner about what we might do. There’s obviously interest in quite a number of our players but I would be loath to see too many leave.”