Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill says Manchester City have no excuses if they fail to challenge for the title this season.
With England midfielder James Milner likely to strengthen City's challenge - and weaken Villa's - it's only going to get tougher.
"The top clubs seem to be getting farther away," said O'Neill. "Just when you think you're getting there, something like a Man City appears on the horizon.
"They're not just a threat to us, Everton and Tottenham, but a genuine threat to the title.
"You need a squad to win the title and City will have 28 or 29 players.
"So they shouldn't have any problems with injuries. You get injuries and suspensions and tiredness, but they can rotate better than rest of us. That's the biggest difference.
"Then if we lose a player like Milner, that will not make it easier.
"You have to replace him - and you're doing that with someone who will probably need to be of less value in the transfer market, so it is quite tough."
