Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has urged fans to be patient over the prospect of new signings.

O'Neill told the club website: "We do not have to sign a player every week. We could end up signing seven in a day.

"We definitely have to rebuild. I don't need reminding of that and we need to strengthen the squad with quality."

Villa have one of the smallest squads in the Premier League and have already seen Olof Mellberg, Luke Moore, Patrik Berger and Thomas Sorensen leave this summer.

O'Neill knows he will have to add to his squad with the Premier League permitting seven substitutes to be named next season.

"We knew there would have to be an overhaul anyway.

"We need an overhaul because, this season, there will be two extra places to fill because there are 18 for every match."