Gareth Barry says Aston Villa are developing the strong mentality they need to qualify for the Champions League.
Villa are currently fourth in the table, three points ahead of Arsenal, and appear well positioned to break into the European elite.
And while Barry knows there are no guarantees that they will stay in the top four, he feels it is only a matter of time until Villa are a Champions League side.
“We are in the Champions League places and have a good chance of staying up there,’’ he told the Birmingham Mail.
“We have played everyone now. We know we can beat anyone on our day and get a result anywhere. We have got to aim high.
“There is no point denying it. We are in form with our run of results and going into games confident of winning. With the type of players we have, I think we can achieve it.
“I’m not saying it is not going to happen again because this club is going forward all the time and, if it doesn’t happen this year, there will be another chance.
“But we are right in the mix now and this could be the year.”
Villa have struggled to find their best form in recent weeks and have relied on fortune in a number of games – three own goals and a penalty have given them victory in four of their last five games.
But Barry feels that their ability to secure victories even when they are not playing well is a sign that they are getting better.
He said: “The majority of players haven’t been in a run-in where the pressure is going to be getting to players and there is going to be a lot at stake.
“You are going to need strong players and a strong mentality. The manager is going to have to get all the players right. I think we are getting that.
“If you are winning games, there is a strong mentality there. We are not always playing well, with the good attacking football we can play, but the results are there and that is down to a strong mentality.
“It comes from achieving things and winning games and the confidence. You always go out there and try and win, but the belief is there more, no matter where we are playing.
“If we have got a tough away fixture, we still think we can grind results out – and that is a good sign.”