Ashley Young insists Aston Villa can be a top four club this season.
"We came sixth last season and the next step is to finish in the Champions League places. It's a big challenge but I'm really looking forward to it. We surprised a few people last season by beating Chelsea and drawing with Arsenal and Liverpool and we can do it again. That's essential if we want a top four finish.
"It's really important for us to start the season well - we need to if we want to challenge the top four. If you lose a few games, confidence can drop and you could end up slipping down the table.
"Pre-season has been good. The coaches are some of the best I've worked with. We've had a good run of pre-season games, which helps get our fitness up after the summer break and makes sure we're ready for the new campaign."
