Thank Crunchie It's Friday

You can scrub Roque Santa Cruz off the wish-list then.

And I just wish I knew what Arsene Wenger was up to yesterday with his comments about Gareth Barry- it appears Martin O'Neill is in the dark too.

Former Bayern Munich striker Santa Cruz has today signed a new long-term contract with Blackburn.

That probably leaves Kevin Doyle in the box seat for a move to Villa, with the rest of Villa's riches therefore heading towards Chelsea for Joe Cole or to Newcastle for James Milner.

A month ago, no a fortnight ago, I'd have laughed at any notion Villa might have in snaring Cole.

It was in the form of a text message to me from a Villa contact two weeks ago today, whilst I was in a pub garden in Derbyshire enjoying a lager and lime (what was I thinking of?!), that told me Villa were after Cole.

I didn't write anything. I needed to double check that one. And I was on a week's holiday- that remains my excuse for leaving the Sunday's to break it.

But Robinho is set to arrive at Stamford Bridge and Cole will soon see his worth diminish in West London.

I'm sure something happened a month or so ago behind the scenes at Villa.

It seemed to coincide with the General's criticism of disgruntled fans for losing faith with the board.

Anyway, whatever happened it suddenly seemed to lead to the club ripping apart the transfer policy and making sure that wages and transfer fees are no longer a problem in bringing in the quality so badly needed if Villa are to challenge the big four.

Not only did Martin O'Neill pay out £2.5million for a 37 year-old, but in came Nicky Shorey and then £5million was paid for Luke Young who was rejected by Villa at half that amount just 12 months ago.

Then, ever so quickly and without fuss, Carlos Cuellar comes through the door at £7.8million followed by new deals for John Carew and Gabby Agbonlahor.

Ashley Young won't be far away either.

And the real spending on these two attacking options is just around the corner.

Villa are spending money hand over fist. I notice the BBC have them down as the biggest net spenders this summer at £30 million- which must include the money for Curtis Davies, which was really last year's spend.

And it's not just on the pitch.

I was lucky enough to be invited to interview Brad Friedel in the new 82 Lounge yesterday.

Breathtaking it was too.

This is the middle floor area of the Trinity Road Stand which once housed the press facilities together with a disused area that was never finished when the stand wasd built.

I hate everything corporate seating stands for. But I can see why clubs have to strive to increase revenue streams.

And Villa's transformation of what was an impressive enough floor anyway into a classy, open-plan 1950s feel, complete with stained glass doors, is stunning.

I have not seen anything like it inside a football club.

There is a temptation to get carried away by a 4-2 home win over a Manchester City team who were badly missing a couple of senior players.

But- and I say this carefully on the eve of a tough local derby- there has not been more euphoria about the start of a new season in my time in covering the club.

The nearest was in the late 1990s under John Gregory when the share launch and NTL funds allowed so much money to be spent on experienced internationals- and later Bosko Balaban- which initially reaped great rewards but ultimately took the club backwards as those players aged and the funding dried up.

Martin O'Neill is not getting carried away. Nor should he. One injury to Ashley Young, John Carew, Martin Laursen or Gareth Barry will highlight just how fragile his squad is.

In our chat last Tuesday morning he was as laid-back and chatty as I've seen him in a long, long time.

Perhaps it was because the words "Gareth" and "Barry" were only mentioned fleetingly for the first time since April.

He still needs a couple of full-backs for cover. A potential 20 extra European games will take their toll.

But the opening weekend saw Portsmouth, Everton and Tottenham all wilt and you get the feeling that if O'Neill can grab those two players he so covets then this could be the greatest of seasons.

As for Wenger and Barry? I have my doubts that Arsenal would go beyond £12million.

Would they chuck Theo Walcott in as a sweetner? Who knows?

I still think there is a twist or two left in the Barry saga.