Taylor targets Europe

Taylor returns for his second spell at Villa Park

Former England manager Graham Taylor has set Aston Villa the target of qualifying for Europe this season after taking over as boss.

The 57-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Midland club, which he coached from 1987-90.

Taylor said: "We qualified for the Uefa Cup by finishing runners-up in my last season (1989-90) and I'm taking over with European (qualification) up for grabs again.

"So in a way I'm coming back to try and finish what I started here."

I would have regretted turning down the opportunity to manage a leading Premiership club

Graham Taylor

Taylor succeeds John Gregory, who became manager of Derby County last week.

Taylor became a non-executive director of Villa last May and had refused to become manager when initially approached by Villa chairman Doug Ellis.

But he changed his mind and has now taken over the reins from caretaker bosses Stuart Gray and John Deehan.

Taylor took Watford from the old Fourth Division into the top flight and on to the FA Cup final in 1984.

He took over at Villa in 1987, and in his three years at the helm guided the midlanders to second place in Division One.

Graham and I now each other inside out and will continue to work well

Villa chairman Doug Ellis

However, his time as national team boss was not so sweet as Taylor could not improve on a poor showing at Euro 92 as England failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup finals in America.

"I would have regretted later in life turning down the opportunity to manage a leading Premiership club," said Taylor.

"Originally the talk from the media was that I was seen as an end-of-season appointment and then they would get someone else in.

"As a member of the Villa board that was never an option. It was always going to be a long-term appointment."

Ellis expressed his delight at the appointment.

"He has come home. I know Graham as well as anyone in the hierarchy of football," he said.

What's up for grabs, which is more important than anything else, is a place in Europe

Graham Taylor

"We know each other inside out and will continue to work well."

Taylor said he wanted to see Villa playing against European opposition next season.

"What's up for grabs, which is more important than anything else, is a place in Europe," said Taylor.

"If we can now be prepared to risk losing a game in order to win it, that is the way we must go now to get into Europe.

"We may not get another chance and the draws aren't going to be good enough for us."

Taylor gave his backing to caretakers Stuart Gray and John Deehan who he indicated would stay at Villa.

"Why should they be kicked out?" said Taylor.

"I think it would be most unfair and I don't think it would help what we are trying to achieve."

The Villa boss confirmed he would look for a win against Chelsea on Saturday.

"On the face of it a draw doesn't look good for either of us. We are after a European place and we need to win."