Stiliyan Petrov has warned Villa they must handle increased expectations as the bid for UEFA Cup football gets underway in Denmark on Saturday.

And the Bulgarian international is determined to build on an improved finish to last season as Martin O'Neill's men make an early return to competitive football.

Petrov has played on the European stage for former clubs Celtic and CSKA Sofia so he knows it would be a massive boost to progress into the UEFA Cup.

Hesaid: "We put in a lot of effort last season because we want to play in Europe. That's where all the fans want to see us, so we must win and get through to the next stage.

"We had a very good season last year and if I we want to maintain that form and get even better then we need to play even better.

"That is about more expectation and it is a lot of pressure. But I think we're all ready to handle that pressure."

Petrov had an up and down 2007-08 campaign but really made his mark in the final push for a top-six Barclays Premier League finish. Now he aims to build on that.

He added: "Of course that's my aim, to be consistent, but people saw last season that even when I wasn't playing I never gave up - and I won't.

"I have still got two years left on my contract, I will try to play as much as I can and try to help the team as much as I can with my ability.

"At the end of the day, what is more important is the team effort and how we play as a team, because last season we stayed together as a team and we achieved a lot."