Martin O'Neill is determined Aston Villa's search for new players will not be hampered by preparations for Saturday's Intertoto Cup clash with Odense.

Villa face the Danes in a two-legged tussle over the next fortnight knowing victory will open the door to Europe for a club that won the greatest prize of all in 1982.

Yet O'Neill is also aware he must not be deflected from the task of improving his squad if they are to maintain last season's improvement and push further towards the cherished top four.

The arrival of Steve Sidwell has signalled the Ulsterman's intent already, while American keeper Brad Guzan will join the Villa throng once he gets his work permit.

And while it now seems just a question of when and not if Gareth Barry joins Liverpool, O'Neill is continuing to work towards strengthening his squad as the new Premier League campaign draws close.

"There are a number of players we would like to bring in and that is what we are progressing on," O'Neill told the club's official website. "Obviously we will keep our mind on the game, which is so, so important, but that doesn't mean you take your eye off efforts to bring in players. We are in the throes of doing that every single day and we have started the ball rolling with Sidwell."