Former Aston Villa midfielder Ian Taylor believes his club will be safe from the drop next season.

The former midfield favourite, who holds an ambassadorial role at Villa Park, would also love Villa to reach Wembley after being losing Capital One Cup semi-finalists last season.

Asked what is a realistic target for Villa for the 2013-14 campaign, Taylor told the Birmingham Mail: "I think a top-half finish, definitely.

"I think what a lot of fans want to see is a good run in one of the cups, which we did have last season.

"It was more gut-wrenching than anything losing to Bradford when we should have got to Wembley.

"I don't think anybody is unrealistic and thinking we're going to ride into Europe just like that."