Sun 24th May - Villa Park
Last updated: 5th October 2008
Lampard: Too soon for Villa
I personally feel it may come too early for them this campaign.
Lampard on Villa's top four hopes
Quotes of the week
Chelsea's Frank Lampard has questioned whether Aston Villa have enough quality this season to break into the Premier League's top four.
While the England international believes Villa are a quality side, he thinks that competing in next season's UEFA Champions League may be a bridge too far.
Martin O'Neill's side are currently fourth in the table following a blistering start to the campaign, but Lampard says the two crucial things needed for them to stay there will not happen.
The former West Ham midfielder cannot see Villa being consistent enough to retain their lofty position or one of the current 'big four' dropping enough points for the Midlands outfit to take their place.
"They are a team looking to break into the top four and while I personally feel it may come too early for them this campaign, that won't prevent them from having a go," he told the Sunday Mirror.
"I accept you never say never but they will have to rely heavily on immense consistency while relying one of the top four to have a massive blip in form."

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 18th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Peterborough vs Aston Villa |
| Tuesday 21st July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Colchester vs Aston Villa |
| Saturday 25th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 21:30 | Aston Villa vs Malaga |
| Wednesday 29th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:30 | Aston Villa vs Atlante |
| Tuesday 4th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Oxford Utd vs Aston Villa |
| Saturday 8th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Fiorentina |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Wigan |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Liverpool vs Aston Villa |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Fulham |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Aston Villa |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Portsmouth |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Aston Villa |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Man City |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Saturday 9th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 3 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Monday 4th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 0 Hull | |
| Saturday 25th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Bolton 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Saturday 18th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 1 West Ham | |
| Sunday 12th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 3 - 3 Everton | |
| Sunday 5th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 3 - 2 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 22nd March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 5 - 0 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 15th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 2 Tottenham | |
| Wednesday 4th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 2 - 0 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 1st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 2 - 2 Stoke | |
| Thursday 26th February | |
| Europa League | |
| CSKA Moscow 2 - 0 Aston Villa | |
| Saturday 21st February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 0 - 1 Chelsea | |
| Wednesday 18th February | |
| Europa League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 1 CSKA Moscow | |
| Sunday 15th February | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Everton 3 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 0 - 2 Aston Villa | |
| Wednesday 4th February | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Aston Villa 3 - 1 Doncaster | |
| Saturday 31st January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 0 - 0 Wigan | |
| Tuesday 27th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 0 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Aston Villa | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Birmingham City | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Blackburn Rovers | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Bolton Wanderers | 0 | 0 |
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Stiliyan Petrov is hoping Villa build on their success last season by making more progress this term.
Hans Nijland has conceded he expects highly-rated striker Marcus Berg to leave Groningen this summer.
Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan is eager to commit his long-term future to the club.
Barca's Alexander Hleb has received offers but is happy at Camp Nou, according to his agent.
Wilfred Bouma is desperate to play for Aston Villa again so he can repay the club's faith in him.