Zat Knight has challenged Aston Villa's young guns to live up to the "higher expectations" that will greet them next season.

Central defender Knight is one of a number of promising English stars brought to the club by manager Martin O'Neill over the last two seasons.

Villa have qualified for Europe via the Intertoto Cup after narrowly missing out on the automatic UEFA Cup spot to Everton - and Knight knows they cannot rest on their laurels.

He told the club's official website: "I came here to Villa because I wanted to push for things at the top of the table and that's what we've done this season.

"This is a young squad that can only get better and the manager is sure to add to the squad with even more quality in the summer. So it's an exciting time for Villa.

"The challenge for all the players next season will be to live up to the higher expectations. That's a challenge but we'll be ready for it."