Former Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood believes that new manager Unai Emery can take them to European football.
The Midlands club are presently flirting with relegation, having sacked manager Steven Gerrard.
Emery was named as Gerrard's successor last week, and will be in the dugout when they play Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.
“Huge job, great opportunity for him. As soon as he walks into that football club, he'll realise how big it is, it's a huge club," ex-Villa and Spurs boss Sherwood told talkSPORT.
“I felt the same but I'm English so I knew the history of the football club, he's going to learn about it. He's a very intelligent man.
“I'm sure he goes in there with a clear idea of what he wants to do. He's going to have now until the end of the season to have a good look at this group of players, decide who he wants to keep and what he needs in the transfer window."
On what would be considered success for Emery, Sherwood added: “He needs to progress that football club. I think he needs to take them mid-table, not necessarily now but in the future they need to be looking towards the top six.
“That's what the fans demand, cup runs as well. They should be very competitive in the domestic cups and I think they're capable of doing it. I think they've got the finances to be able to do it, they've got the man now, they need to give him the time and trust him."