Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has defended his decision to sign only Tottenham outcast Wayne Routledge during the January transfer window.O'Neill had entered the month intending to significantly strengthen the smallest squad in the Premier League and maintain Villa's strong push for a European spot.

Despite making many inquiries, the Villa boss could only bring in midfielder Routledge who had tasted no first-team action at White Hart Lane since August.

But, ahead of Sunday's league clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage, the Irishman believes he was right not to sign players of insufficient quality just to swell the numbers.

O'Neill said: "This January, with the exception of Wayne, we haven't enjoyed the bonanza time we enjoyed 12 months ago when we brought in Ashley Young, John Carew and Shaun Maloney.

"We tried to also bring in Brad Guzan, an American goalkeeper with a lot of ability, only for the work permit application to be turned down.

"But January is a very difficult month, it is manic, a bit crazy. I made strong inquiries about several players I thought would strengthen the side but they were not available. It is as simple as that.

"In an ideal world, we would have liked to bring extra players in and, yes, I could have filled the squad with a number of people but I don't see the point of doing that just for the sake of it.

"We may have concerns over whether we get any injuries, but I have got great faith in the squad who have done brilliantly and we will go again now."

O'Neill believes the call-up of five of his players into Fabio Capello's initial England squad of 30 for next week's international with Switzerland can only help Villa.

He said: "Any footballer will get a massive lift from being picked by England - although you wouldn't have believed it looking at training today because they were awful!

"But seriously they will take enormous confidence from the call-up which hopefully will also benefit us as well."

Routledge is unlikely to be considered for the game with the Cottagers after his lack of first-team opportunities but O'Neill is confident the former Crystal Palace player can blossom.

He said: "As a kid at Crystal Palace, Wayne looked exceptional and I know lots of things can happen in a couple of years to young players and he has stagnated a bit.

"I am sure he will say he is not totally blameless but it is up to him now and I have been really impressed by his desire to want to succeed at the highest level.

"That has been the most impressive thing. He is going to get a chance at one time or another. It is up to him, and he knows the competition for places is pretty tough - and we've just had five boys named in the England squad.

"But he has the potential to do very well - and do much better than he has shown in recent times. If he can get back to the form he showed as a young boy, then that would be exciting.

"I don't think it is a risk. We are paying £1.25million for a lad who in the past has shown he has talent. If his desire is anything like it seems to be, then great.

"He will have tough times here but he is prepared to battle."

Villa winger Ashley Young is suspended for the clash with Fulham after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the 1-1 home draw with Blackburn last weekend.

But midfielder Shaun Maloney is available again after recovering from a foot injury and striker John Carew is expected to shrug off a knock suffered in training as Villa look to extend their unbeaten league run to nine games.

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