Journalist Ashley Preece reckons that Aston Villa should be targeting a European spot this season.
How have Villa started this term?
Considering Villa lost their captain and most influential player in Jack Grealish, and were handed a tough fixture list, Dean Smith's side have made a brilliant start to the campaign.
The season started with a disappointing opening day defeat at Watford, but since losing 3-2 at Vicarage Road, Villa have lost just once and that was despite more than matching Chelsea in their 3-0 reverse earlier this month.
But since that disappointing evening in West London, Villa have taken six points, scored four times, conceded none and put Everton and Manchester United to the sword.
Smith's team are currently 8th, having collected 10 points from a possible 18 available and are only four points behind leaders Liverpool.
It's been 11 years since Villa last qualified for Europe when they finished sixth under Martin O'Neill, but Preece believes that Smith's men should be targeting a return to the big time.
What did Preece say?
Asked whether Villa are ready to make the step up to compete for the European places, he told GIVEMESPORT: "The proof is always in the pudding, so he will have to prove to himself to step up another level.
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"11th last season. We've got to get close to the sixth/seventh place this season, and Dean Smith will be doing everything he can to do that."
Are Villa good enough to finish in Europe?
Having already won at Old Trafford and swept a good Everton team aside without the likes of Emiliano Buendia and Danny Ings firing, Villa have already shown what they're about this term.
However, Smith's side found themselves in a similar position last season and even sat above the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City heading into the New Year, but faded away after winning just eight of their final 24 Premier League games.
But with a far stronger squad this time around despite the loss of Grealish, Villa should have more than enough quality in their ranks to avoid falling off the pace. And with Arsenal and Tottenham not up to much, Leicester struggling, and Everton still inconsistent, those European places are up for grabs this season.