Danny Murphy rips into Aston Villa's transfer policy
Villa sacked manager Robrerto Di Matteo on Monday after a woeful start to the Championship season.
The recently relegated side currently sit 19th in the standings after winning just one of their opening 11 games - despite spending in excess of £50million in the summer.
Strikers Ross McCormack and Jonathan Kodjia arrived at Villa Park for fees that could rise to £27m but have found the back of the net just three times between them.
While goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, who cost £4.25m, has struggled since his move and was dropped for last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Preston.
"They've so overspent on players," said Murphy, formerly of Liverpool, Charlton, Tottenham, Fulham and Blackburn.
"Some of the money they have spent on average players is ridiculous, absolutely ludicrous."
Steve Clarke - Di Matteo's former assistant manager - is in caretaker charge at Villa Park and Murphy has backed the Scot to take the job on a permanent basis.
Murphy added on talkSPORT: “I like him a lot. He would be a very solid choice, definitely.
"Steve Clarke was very well thought of at Liverpool – I spoke to the boys there and they really liked him.
"He was very unlucky at West Brom, and actually did a good job at Reading, and I think Villa will be doing well to get a someone in better than him."