Aston Villa defender Ian Maatsen has insisted they can no longer consider themselves as underdogs and could even challenge for the Premier League title.
The full-back has been speaking to Viaplay in the Netherlands, relayed by Voetbal Nieuws, about Aston Villa and their ambitions this season.
It’s been a big summer of change for Unai Emery’s side this summer after qualifying for the Champions League last season.
Eight new players have arrived for a sum of €176.2m while 15 have departed, including key players from last season such as Moussa Diaby and Douglas Luiz.
There’s been no signs of issues yet as Emery’s side beat West Ham 2-1 on the opening weekend before putting in a solid performance in their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend.
And Maatsen, one of the major summer arrivals, has no concerns and believes he and his teammates are good enough to be competing for the title.
“I think we know each other well,” he said.
“That we have a really close bond and want to work for each other. If everyone is on the right track, then we are a team that can make it very difficult for the big teams.
“That is also what we want to measure ourselves against. I think we are not underdogs. Everyone knows that we are a good team and always want to win.”
