Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is convinced they're better equipped for a top four push this season.

Having made several late signings before the summer transfer deadline fell, O'Neill is upbeat about their prospects of sustaining their challenge.

He told TalkSport: "To start making predictions at this stage of the season is crazy. You just don't know. Even teams who are carrying very, very decent squad can end up having injuries to two or three major players and having injuries to major players is a deep concern to all of the teams. I'm delighted I was able to get those (new) players in before the transfer deadline and that has given us a major boost.

"The players are feeling more comfortable because we were pretty thin in the ground last year.

"That's no one else's fault but our own, I accept that, but maybe come February time we might be able to learn a lesson or two but that (February) really is a long time away."