Aston Villa FC

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• Manager:Gerard Houllier

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Reo-Coker targets top-six

13 Jul 2007 - 09:41:13

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Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker believes Aston Villa have the quality to secure a top-six finish in the Premier League this season.

The £8.5million signing from West Ham United believes European qualification is a realistic aim and has backed manager Martin O'Neill to bring in some more players who can help achieve that goal.

"The top six is realistic because Villa have got the players, and always have had, and now they're heading in the right direction," Reo-Coker told the Birmingham Mail.

"Martin says he's going to make four or five more signings, but he keeps his cards very close to his chest.

"He's told me why he wanted to sign me and that was all I needed to know.

"Some people might look at it and think it's not a great season to finish 11th (last year).

"Villa drew games and weren't conceding goals and if they had had a goalscorer or someone on top of their game, then they would have finished in Europe.

"So I don't see that as a great negative and if we can build on that with a few additions this year, why can't we achieve more next season?"

Meanwhile, O'Neill is set to make a decision over the future of trialist goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.

The France Under-21s keeper has been on trial from Le Havre during the opening days of pre-season training.