O'Neill - I want to stay

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has said the club must spend in the summer if they are to mount a top-four challenge next season.

The Villa boss also hinted that talks with American owner Randy Lerner will go a long way to deciding his future at the club.

O'Neill's men ended another promising season in defeat as Blackburn claimed a surprise 1-0 victory on the final day at Villa Park.

Despite the result, Villa claimed a top-six finish after Liverpool failed to beat Hull at the KC Stadium.

Rumours have circulated towards the end of the season that O'Neill is set to leave his post, however the Northern Irishman insists he is keen to build on the work he has done since joining the club in 2006.

He told Sky Sports: "The conversations with Mr Lerner should be very productive.

"I've spent four years here and overall I want to be here, there is great improvement in the team.

"We know where we are weak and we're going to have to address that. Other teams are going to get stronger throughout the course of the summer so it's pretty hard work."

Of the Blackburn defeat, he added: "It was a disappointing result, but I'm delighted we finished sixth.

"That was our aim this morning. I think we gave Hull a bit of help last year on the last day of the season, so I'm delighted they have reciprocated.

"I'm disappointed with the result, but not with the season or our position.

"I thought we played some good stuff in the first half and was hoping that we would take it on in the second half.

"But Blackburn came out with a bit of renewed vigour and penned us back. Overall I think they probably had the better of the second half."