Villa striker John Carew believes the claret and blues’ young stars have matured into men this season and insisted – “Now we’re ready to break into the top four.”

The Norwegian international, on target with Saturday’s second-half winner against Stoke, believes the strides made by Gabby Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and James Milner this term has taken Villa on to the next level.

Martin O’Neill’s men have now recorded four straight Premier League victories and will spend Christmas in fourth, level on points with third-placed Arsenal.

Carew said: “I think the young players, who had talent, have all turned into England internationals,  have gone from being inexperienced to experienced players, along with being more consistent and doing amazing performances every week.

“The squad is also bigger and we have more possibilities. One can go out and another one can come in and do the same job. It wasn’t many players we had to buy but the squad is four or five players bigger and that will be decisive.”

Carew reckons the claret and blues have shown they have more mettle than last season, after withstanding a barrage of late pressure from the Potters to avenge last season’s collapse against Tony Pulis’ men.

He continued: “We really showed that we have improved, winning those sort of games that we maybe might have struggled to win earlier this season.

“We could beat the big teams, but maybe the next week we would struggle to beat one of the teams that really wasn’t one of the top sides.

“Now we manage to do the job every week and that’s what we need to show to get into the top four. We are really showing that we are contenders now which is great.

“It was actually one of the best victories of the season feeling-wise. The team and the manager were very happy in the changing room after the game.

“I think we have developed as a team and have got better and I think this year we will be competing for the top four.”

Carew, who came on as an early substitute for the injured Emile Heskey, insisted he had no problem with finding himself on the bench in recent weeks.

He added: “The team has been doing well and during the season, you won’t be playing all of the games. The last couple of weeks I’ve been on the bench and that is OK. I just try to deliver when I am on the pitch anyway.”

Carew has backed O’Neill to make the right decisions when the transfer window re-opens in January.

He said: “We have found our base and have a fantastic group of players. If we need anything more, it will be up to the manager and the club to decide. I always think he makes the right decisions.

“But we have a bigger squad from last season and more players who can do a job.”