Unai Emery has admitted Aston Villa face a tough test to replicate their successful 2024 campaign as they prepare to kick off the new year against Leicester on Saturday.
Villa head into the game in ninth place and looking increasingly unlikely to secure a second-successive Champions League berth as they battle to maintain a challenge on all fronts.
But Emery is adamant that moving up the Premier League remains a priority and he can see no reason why his squad cannot achieve similar levels to last season's stellar finish.
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Emery told a press conference: "We achieved our best objective we can dream of at the moment, to be in Europe and to be in the Champions League this year.
"Now, we are starting the new year focused on our match against Leicester. We had a very good year, but we are trying to separate last year, last season and this season."
Villa head into the game against Ruud Van Nistelrooy's men without a win in two games after bringing a slightly disappointing end to 2024 with a draw against Brighton on Monday.
And they have plenty of issues to address with the club confirming that defender Pau Torres would be ruled out for around two months after suffering a metatarsal injury.
Diego Carlos and Jaden Philogene are also injured, while Morgan Rogers and Jhon Duran miss the clash with the Foxes through suspension, although right-back Matty Cash is back from his own ban.
Emery acknowledged that the rigours of playing in Europe had increased the pressure on his current squad, which he was confident he would be able to embellish in the current transfer window.
He added: "Our challenge is always to increase our level, to increase our demands and our standards in everything.
"Of course, we are in the transfer window as well and the club is moving forward to try to increase our level in the squad in case we can sign new players - we are open to doing it.
"To achieve like last year - Champions League - will be fantastic, but we have to try to be demanding, building and respecting the different competitions and different teams.
"This year has been more difficult for different circumstances. We are playing in Europe and the demand is more than last year. (But) we want to try and keep the same level we had last year and last season."
