Martin O’Neill has admitted Aston Villa will need to be busy in the transfer market to avoid falling behind the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham and Everton.
The Villa boss admits he is actively chasing new recruits having lost inspirational midfielder Gareth Barry to City at the start of the transfer window.
And O’Neill knows Villa will have to be active in the transfer market in the close season if they are to build on last season’s sixth-place finish.
He told the official club website: "We're on the lookout. We want to strengthen the side. We have lost Gareth but we are hoping to be in a position to replace him.
"Having looked at the market and watched what has developed with the major transfers - Kaka and Ronaldo particularly - you can definitely say it's interesting times.
"We are going to have to try and improve - even to stand still in this league. Manchester City and Tottenham will be looking to improve and I envisage Everton being strong again."
O’Neill also revealed he was desperate to keep hold of Barry for one more season.
The midfielder was the subject of a drawn-out transfer saga the previous summer, but Villa avoided the same fate this year as City moved swiftly to wrap up a deal.
O’Neill insists Barry deserves credit for his years of service to the club, and said there are no hard feelings between the pair.
He added: "It would have been fantastic if he had stayed. It happened early so we didn't have the debacle we faced the previous season. But that wasn't too important to me.
"It would just have been great if he had stayed on another year. I was disappointed to lose him. He wanted to go and he felt Manchester City was the right stage so I won't argue, particularly when you consider the number of years he spent at the football club.
"It has happened now but he has been a fantastic servant and I wish him all the very best.
"I worked with him for three years, he hardly missed a game and he cemented his place in the national side and has done exceptionally well overall. I am sure he will go from strength to strength."