Nathan Baker is ready to battle Philippe Senderos for a place in Aston Villa's back four.
Baker, who is contracted to Villa until summer 2016, is determined to keep his place.
"I'm not looking to step down," Baker told the Birmingham Mail. "It's great to be in the team and that's what I'm here for. It's what I want to carry on doing. The more competition we have, the better. I guess it keeps you on your toes.
"For me it's been a step up from last season and I think I'm improving all the time.
"Hopefully I can keep learning. You never know what the team will be until a couple of days before a game, but it's great that I've been picked.
"I can't ask for much more and I want to build on that. The more I play, the happier I will be."
