By Chris Bevan

Laursen joined Villa from AC Milan for �3m in 2004

Aston Villa defender Martin Laursen admits his side are not ready to challenge for a Champions League place despite Randy Lerner's investment.

Villa's American billionaire owner has spent over �28m on players since he took charge in September 2006 and saw his side finish 11th last season.

Laursen says his team-mates are aiming high but told BBC Sport: "Our next step is to qualify for the Uefa Cup.

"Anything more is not realistic yet - things do not happen overnight."

The way Villa finished last season - with a nine-game unbeaten run - gave fans hope of a bright future under Lerner and manager Martin O'Neill.

Villa's pre-season results - which included a 3-0 win over Inter Milan - have also raised expectations ahead of the visit of Liverpool in the first game of the new campaign on Saturday.

John Carew has already showed he is a handful for every team and scored some really good goals after he arrived but I think he will be even better this season Martin Laursen

"We are definitely ready to meet Liverpool," added Laursen, who is glad to be fully fit after three injury-ravaged seasons at Villa Park.

"Our aim has to be to pick up where we left off and our pre-season games have shown that we have maintained our good form - we have played well, created chances, scored goals and won all our matches."

Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood, who both signed from West Ham, have been Villa's biggest summer acquisitions.

Laursen feels the duo will hit the ground running against the Reds and he is also looking to Ashley Young and John Carew - who both joined in January - to shine.

"Nigel and Marlon are both English and they have played in the Premier League before," the Danish international explained.

"Both of them knew a lot of the players here and neither of them have had any problems settling in on and off the pitch.

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"I think we will see the best of Ashley and John now too. It was different for them - Ashley had not played in the Premier League before and John did not know English football.

"But they have settled in now after a few months here and Ashley is in great form.

"John has already showed he is a handful for every team and scored some really good goals after he arrived but I think he will be even better this season."

A crop of academy graduates have also bolstered O'Neill's options with Gabriel Agbonlahor, Luke Moore and Craig Gardner making a big impact after breaking into the first team.

"It is always important to have good young players - they bring a lot of energy and positivity," added Laursen, who was speaking at the launch of the Premier League's creating chances scheme.