Villa boss O'Neill: Man City should be Premiership title favourites

Martin O'Neill believes big-spending Manchester City can win the Premiership this season.

The Aston Villa boss reluctantly sold skipper Gareth Barry to City in a £12million deal at the start of the summer.

And he believes Mark Hughes' £200m transfer spree could blow the Big Four out of the water.

O'Neill said: "They might not be favourites but they should be.

"City's side is going to be so strong that they can withstand anything. For the first time since Chelsea became a major force, the top four has become a true top five."