Martin O'Neill has hinted he will need to bolster his strike force this summer if Aston Villa are to secure European football next season.

The former Celtic and Leicester tactician is hoping Luke Moore will come into contention following an injury-plagued campaign, but believes one more piece of the puzzle is required.

Villa have been linked with a move for Villarreal's former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan, although his £15million asking price may well rule O'Neill out of the bidding.

"It will be hard for me to rely on Gabby this coming season to score the goals which will propel you into European football and to ask John Carew to do it," explained O'Neill.

"You would be hoping Luke Moore would regain his place after a stop-start season. But you would be thinking we might have to look at bringing someone else in.

"We played some delightful football in games throughout last season but we did not have the results because we might have missed a goal or two and conceded a very soft goal.

"Overall the team tried to play football and we played well in some games and did not have the results but I am aware it is the results business we are in and that will never change."