Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish is keen to play down expectations for the coming season.
The Scot was quick to temper expectations for a side that endured a tumultuous time last term.
"I have a team that finished ninth in the league last season. I know it was a difficult first half of the season and the aim of every team is to get off to a flyer," said McLeish.
"We've added a couple of players that will enhance the quality of the squad and hopefully get us off to a good start.
"I wouldn't like to shout from the rooftops and say we're going to challenge for the top four. I'd be a fool to do that.
"We finished ninth. Can we better that? It'll be extremely difficult given that a lot of other teams have been 'tooling up', if you like.
"Sunderland I think signed 10 players, Stoke City are also linked with many players with quite extortionate transfer fees so we're under no illusions the Premier League will be more competitive than ever."
