O'Neill draws up transfer hit list

Martin O'Neill has drawn up his transfer wish list of January targets with three players earmarked for Villa Park.

But they won't include Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen or Arsenal full-back Justin Hoyte.

Boss O'Neill wants to strengthen both full-back positions as well as bringing in another striker next month.

The club however, have no interested in former Chelsea forward Gudjohnsen and England under-21 international Hoyte.

O'Neill remains keen on Porto's Jose Bosingwa, but has not had a £7m rejected, as has been claimed elsewhere.

The Villa boss meanwhile has warned his side tomorrow's opponents "deserve" to be challenging for the Champions League places.

Sven Goran Eriksson's side have been the surprise packet in the first half of the season, with signings such as Elano lighting up the Premier League.

City have failed to win away since the opening day of the season but O'Neill said his side have to match them.

"They are where they deserve to be. Whatever their home or away form, it doesn't matter because their overall points tally has put them where they are," said the Villa boss.

"It's a really big match for us to try to challenge the sides up around us and they have been in or near to the top five all season.

"This is a big challenge for us because if we are to have the credentials we want, then we have to match them.

"Regardless of whether this match was home or away, this would be a big game for us.

"It's a big game because it's against a side playing very well at the minute.

"I saw them against Spurs and they would have been disappointed with the outcome of the last six to seven minutes where they conceded a goal.

"I think City have done terrificly well, and despite the fact they had big money to spend in the summer, things had to be done quickly and it's difficult to get people to gel quickly, so it's great credit to the manager.

"The Champions League is an obvious aim. Whether Manchester City can break the monopoly of the big four is something else, but they might have the opportunity to strengthen the side in January."