Nigel Reo-Coker: Everton have shown Aston Villa the way

Jun 16 2008 By Bill Howell

NIGEL Reo-Coker today called for Villa to take a leaf out of Everton's book with a plan of gradually building towards their goal of Champions Leaggue football.

The Villa midfielder - who is in line for the captaincy when Gareth Barry compltes his move to Liverpool - says David Moyes' side are the model to follow.

Everton are the only side to have broken into the big four in recent seasons, finishing above rivals Liverpool in 2005- albeit some 16 points behind third placed Manchester United.

The former West Ham midfielder said: "For any team not in the top four, it's a building process.

"You're not going to get the guaranteed quick fix to get into the top four.

The top four teams have been doing it for years, they have been spending serious money for years on wages and transfer fees.

And it takes time. Any club has to eventually build up to that process.

"Last year we were in and around fourth or fifth place all season.

"We had a few results which didn't go our way and we let ourselves down in certain games against Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Wigan at home and Fulham away.

"But it was a consistent season for us and no one can complain.

"We didn't really have as bad dip like other teams.

"What we did in the League with the money we spent, it was great.

"Look at Everton. All credit to David Moyes, but how long has he been building there? A very long time.

"Next year will be the manager's third year and we had a chance of overtaking them for fifth spot until the final game.

"You look at where we are now and what we could do, we have to have reality and it was a good season.

"We used the fewest amount of players in the Premier League, we had the smallest squad in the League and people don't understand how hard it is to win games in the Premier League.

"Last season I would say it was the most competitive the Premier League had been for years."