Aston Villa sports chief Monchi has played down their spending power.

Monchi insists their transfer budget isn't as what's been claimed.

Asked if Villa can finish in the top six, Monchi told Marca: "Rather than fighting, the first thing to do is settle down and build a base from which to start climbing. I don't believe much in increases from one day to the next. That causes big falls.

"We must prop up and give solidity and guarantees to what has been built. The goal always has to be the maximum possible. The higher we aspire, the higher we can reach. But always with coherent arguments and without selling smoke.

"Money does not rain in the Premier League," Monchi said. "There are also clubs with problems. There are rules to follow and regulations. What we try is to be ambitious from sanity.