Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is willing to splash out £30million on one player - according to his right hand man General Charles Krulak.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill is aware of the need to further strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes on August 31.

To date he has parted company with five members of last season's squad and only brought in goalkeepers Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan and midfielder Steve Sidwell during the summer.

But Krulak is adamant the funds are available from Lerner if and when O'Neill asks him to splash out on big money signings.

He said: "Randy has told Martin to get the players he wants and not worry about the money. We all know we need more players. We trust Martin to know what the squad needs and to go and get the players.

"If Martin O'Neill came to Randy and said 'I need £30million for player X' and the player would fit into what we are trying to do, Randy would have his cheque book out before Martin could get past the player's name.

"Additionally he will be equally ready to fund the other players that Martin says he needs. Randy has never said 'no' to Martin.

"Randy is no Roman Abramovich but he does have a wallet and he will open it. Martin knows that. Randy has made it perfectly clear we do not have to sell a player to buy a player."

Krulak reaffirmed Lerner's commitment to Villa and insisted: "Randy is in it for the long term. He wants Europe, he wants winning football. He wants entertainment for the fans.

"This is more than a business to him. Villa is a passion."

Villa are currently undergoing a training camp in Spain ahead of the launch of their UEFA Cup campaign against Icelandic side FH Hafnarfjordur next week.

But skipper Gareth Barry has stayed behind in the hope that his proposed deal to Liverpool will finally go ahead if the Merseysiders can meet Villa's valuation of the player of around £18million.

Villa's UEFA Cup second qualifying round clash with Hafnarfjordur next Thursday (August 14) will kick off at 6pm local time (7pm BST).

The first leg match will be played at the Laugardalsvollur Stadium in Reykjavik with the return at Villa Park on August 28.

Gabriel Agbonlahor is hoping a successful first European campaign with Villa can help him win a first England cap and cement a place in Fabio Capello's squad.

The 21-year-old striker was called up by Capello for his first squad as England coach against Switzerland at Wembley in February but had to withdraw through injury.

Then he was part of the set-up for the end of season friendlies with the United States and Trinidad and Tobago although he did not come off the bench in either game.

But Agbonlahor is counting on doing well in the UEFA Cup with Villa to enhance his chances of making the breakthrough.

Agbonlahor said: "I've had two good seasons but you've got to keep challenging yourself as a player to keep progressing - and hopefully this season I can push on again.

"Playing in Europe is a big boost to everyone at Villa but it also means you are playing against different systems and players which presents a challenge in itself.

"You play against quality players in the Premier League but Europe will be different again.

"If I can play a bit in Europe this season, hopefully it will help me stay in the England squad and that I can win the first cap. Ashley (Young) has had his first caps and I would love the same if I can impress the coach.

"I think European football will be that next step. We're ready to make that step as a team. The players who have tasted Europe before want to taste it again and the rest of us want it for the first time."

Midfielder Sidwell is battling to be fit for the first leg match after suffering a calf injury in training.

O'Neill's £5 million capture from Chelsea was unable to play against his former club Reading in the weekend friendly at the Madejski Stadium.

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