Promotion the priority for Aston Villa, says boss Roberto Di Matteo

Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo says promotion back to the Premier League is the priority for his side next season.

The Italian, who won the Champions League as Chelsea boss in 2012, took over at Villa Park last month on a two-year contract. 

The 46-year-old has not managed in the second tier of English football since season 2009-10 when he guided West Bromwich Albion back to the top flight.

Speaking in Beijing, where he is accompanying Villa's new Chinese owner Tony Xia on a three-day visit, Di Matteo, who has also managed MK Dons and German side Schalke 04, told reporters: "It is going to be a challenge next season.

"The Championship is a very tough league. People that know English football will know it's more difficult than the Premier League because it has many former Premier League teams.

"They are all looking to get back into the Premier League like we do, but we'll give our best and try to challenge for promotion next season."

Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness agrees that a promotion challenge is the primary aim for the 2016/17 campaign.

"It has been almost 130 years since Villa helped found the Football League and so we have a very strong history of playing at the top level," he said.

"Our priority for next season must be to win promotion."