Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has slammed FIFA's transfer windows.

He told Villa's website: "I think the January transfer window is a nonsense. You can butter it up all you like, but it's a nonsense.

"It puts an enormous strain on football clubs knowing they can't do business from February 1 onwards to try and bring in some players.

"Their whole season could rest on what they did in the transfer window.

"There has been a general price hike anyway because of the TV money but you can imagine what it's like when it's condensed into one month.

"Ironically, we had a super January when we took on Ashley Young. It was £8m at the time. There was a flutter of eyelids at the tag, even though now we realise what great value he's been.

"We swapped John Carew with Milan Baros, which I think was good business for the football club and Shaun Maloney came in at the 11th hour. All three players have made major contributions.

"The same thing is expected this time around but every club is chasing the same type of player.

"You could pick out five quality players and I'm sure every one of them would add something to the squad.

"Going out and getting them is a different issue. Going out and getting them in January is a different issue again."