By Dan Harrison

James Milner says Villa's younger players will be better prepared for the uncompromising battle of cracking the top four next season.

Having experienced the relentless pressure of competing for a Champions League spot for the first time, Milner feels the character and resolve of some of Villa's less experienced players will be greater next time around.

The winger also believes the squad have learned a lot from their recent poor run.

"It has been a poor run and we know we should have done better but it's about what you take from them and how you bounce back," he said.

"That is how you learn and that's what happens when you've got younger players who perhaps haven't been in that position in the league before.

"If we are in the same position next year with 10 games to go, hopefully we'll see it through and go one better.

"But it's very rare you'll find a team that goes through a season without having a dip in form.

"It's about how you recover from that and we had a spell where we weren't putting in good enough performances but since Manchester United we've come away and had some good performances."