Premiership: Merson craves an end to Villa mediocrity

Paul Merson believes Aston Villa must expand their horizons and accept that another season without silverware just will not do.

John Gregory's side are hoping to receive the ideal kick-start to their Premiership campaign by qualifying for Europe via the Intertoto Cup.

But Merson believes only reaching the Uefa Cup by the traditional route this season will be acceptable.

"I always aim for the stars," Merson said. "We have to be looking at the top four and Europe - it's pointless coming back to pre-season training and aiming to finish seventh or eighth.

"Ipswich proved what could be done last year. They weren't the best team in the world by any means but they played as a unit and drew a lot of games that other teams lost."

Merson believes Villa have the ability to build on last season's disappointing eighth place after a summer swirl in the transfer market which has seen the arrivals of Moroccans Mustapha Hadji and Hassan Kachloul, and Danish goalkeeping great Peter Schmeichel at Villa Park.

"I really thought David James would be badly missed but Peter was great business," Merson added. "To get him is different class."

But while Merson may be aiming for the stars reality must bite at some stage and he has already ruled his side out of winning the Premiership title.

He added: "I'd be lying if I sat here and said we could win it. We've bought some very good players and then Manchester United go out and buy Ruud van Nistelrooy, one of the top five strikers in the world, and Juan Sebastian Veron, one of the top midfielders in the world."