John Carew believes Aston Villa should be able to challenge for a Champions League place this season.
Striker hoping to qualify for UEFA Champions League
John Carew believes Aston Villa should be able to challenge for a UEFA Champions League place this season.
Villa managed to finish sixth last term despite having one of the smallest squads in the Premier League and Martin O'Neill has strengthened over the summer.
Norwegian striker Carew feels that Villa must aim to improve and is targeting a place in the top four.
"We were sixth last season and the goal is to be better this time," said Carew, who is confident of shaking off an ankle problem in time to feature against Manchester City on Sunday.
"We were close to Liverpool for a lot of time last season and now we have a stronger squad.
"There is no reason to believe that we can't reach the top four.
"It is my belief and I hope that everyone else believes it as well. We have a chance to do it."
Happy
Carew signed a new contract extension this week to keep him at Villa until 2011 and he is confident there is a bright future ahead for the club.
"I am very happy here," he said. "This is a challenge for me and I do like a challenge. There is a great environment at the club and I like the way that we all pull together.
"We are one unit and that is very important for me. There is a great group of players here. It is an ambitious young squad that can only get better and better.
"I am only 28, but I have been in the game a long time so I hope I can help the younger players."
