By Claire Boden in Portugal

Stephen Warnock is striving for Villa to maintain their status as regular members of the Barclays Premier League elite set pushing the top four clubs.

Last season's exploits in both the Carling Cup and the FA Cup have whetted the defender's appetite for more of the same this forthcoming campaign - and some.

With the curtain raiser against West Ham a little over two weeks away, the England international concedes this Premier League season will be tougher than ever before, but Martin O'Neill's men have got all the ingredients to compete again.

"I think we have to strive to get into the top four again though it's going to be difficult with the likes of Manchester City spending their money and United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool will be strong," Warnock told AVTV. "Obviously, Tottenham, who did very well last year, are going to strengthen again and do well.

"But we're always talked about as being in that elite group who are striving and hoping to break into the top four and we've got to keep it that way.

"That's why I wanted to join the club. We have a good set of players and good set of staff around the place.

"The club is geared up to be a top club and it is a top club. We showed that last season by getting to the final of the Carling Cup and we want to do that again and have a good run in the FA Cup and Europa League as well. That's what you want to do and that's what you strive to do."

Warnock only linked up with his claret and blue team-mates a few days ago due to his England World Cup commitments in South Africa earlier this summer.

And the 25-year-old has admitted it is good to be back in the Villa fold.

"Yeah it was a little bit tough, straight back into it. But it's good to be back and enjoyable and looking forward to the new season," he explained.

"It's good and it's the same squad as last year. No one has been added and no one has been taken away from the squad, so we know each other inside out. The good thing is that it's not too long (Guadiana Cup) and we won't be living in each other's pockets for too long so it is a good exercise for everyone and it is enjoyable to be around one another."