Aston Villa owner Dr Tony Xia has revealed his ambition to see the club playing in the Champions League within 'five to six years'.

The Midlands side have spent more years in the top flight of English football than any other club apart from Everton, but found themselves relegated from the Premier League last term after a torrid season on and off the pitch.

Xia, who took ownership of the club in the summer, said in a rare interview with The Times that his goals for the club extend beyond just promotion from the Championship.

"Everyone knows we have to build everything step by step," he said. "We plan to go back to the Premier League in one year, at most two years, [consolidate] for one or two years and we hope in five or six years we can be the top club in the Premier League so we can play in Champions League and then two or three more years we can challenge to go top of Europe. I'm very confident for that.

"I foresee modern football changing very quickly. The club that is top now won't stay there for many years if they don't push to fit into the changes that are happening. Football will be dramatically changed by the implementation of more data technology, internet, communication technology, and one day, maybe also, bio-science, bio-technology. Even a club like Man United now, if you don't start to make a lot of changes will very soon be left behind."

Xia went on to praise new manager Steve Bruce, who has kept the side unbeaten in the league since he took over from Roberto Di Matteo in October.

"He's much better than I expected," he added. "I didn't expect him to be so open to learn a lot of new things. Honestly, a lot of people said he was quite good as a manager to get out of the Championship, and go back to the Premier League — and that was the first priority and we didn't expect much more. But now I think he is much more open, and learning.

"Now I'm very confident and quite comfortable not only just Steve, but Keith [Wyness, chief executive] and Steve Round [technical director]. I like the whole team."

The Villans are up to 11th in the Championship and four points off the playoffs ahead of this evening's encounter with Leeds United at Elland Road.