Birmingham City midfielder Lee Carsley says derby rivals Aston Villa will struggle to finish in the top-half of the table this season.

"They've done OK," said Carsley.

"But the amount of money they've spent overall is not so different to a lot of the clubs in the Premiership. You have to spend huge money just to finish in the top half and unless you're Manchester City that's not a guarantee.

"They may be good enough for the top half, but not the top six.

"Realistically there are a lot of teams ahead of Villa - and it may be difficult enough for them to finish in the top half."