Source: Daily_Mail
Villa new boy Warnock aiming for top four spot after completing Rovers move
Stephen Warnock is relishing the challenge of trying to break into the Premier League top four with Aston Villa after making the move from Blackburn.
Warnock has signed a four-year deal that will keep him at the midlands club until the summer of 2013 after a fee was agreed in the region of £7million.
The 27-year-old was presented to the Villa fans before the Europa League qualifier with Rapid Vienna last night and could make his debut in Sunday's home league clash against Fulham.
His arrival will provide competition for Nicky Shorey and the currently-injured Wilfred Bouma.
Former Liverpool left-back Warnock said: 'The main aim is to be pushing for that top-four spot. That's the ambition.
'The manager is buying some really talented players, young and ambitious, and
I'm sure they will see that top-four spot as a target and goal.'
Warnock will have to wait for next season to compete in Europe after Villa's away-goals loss to Vienna last night, but he has his sights set higher than the Europa League.
He continued: 'Playing in Europe is important, playing against the top players on the continent is fantastic, and there's no better stage to do that than on the Champions League.
'If we could do that, it would be a great achievement.'
Villa boss Martin O'Neill said: "Stephen is a very good footballer. He can play in a number of positions, which is always good for us. Overall he will do very well for us.'
O'Neill is also hoping to complete the signing of Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne after Villa released a statement confirming a fee had been agreed for the player.
But O'Neill is adamant there is work still to be done before that deal is finalised as he looks to further bolster his back four.
He said: 'We are looking to try and reinforce the team between now and the transfer deadline and bring people in with experience and a bit of know-how.
'That is my intention and whatever is available for us, I will attempt to do.
'Is the Dunne deal close? No, nothing is remotely close at all.'
Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas is another player who has remained on O'Neill's radar.
Even with the signing of Warnock, his net spending this summer has so far only amounted to around £11-12million.
