Nigel Reo-Coker has challenged his Aston Villa team-mates to prove they belong in the top four of the Barclays Premier League.

Villa moved into the Champions League places with victory at Tottenham on Monday night - but midfielder Reo-Coker is aware that his side face a tough task in maintaining their lofty league position.

"It's a fair compliment but we have to go and prove that. Talk is cheap, it's about proving that and doing it," said Reo-Coker.

"I feel we're equipped to beat anybody on our day in this league. That's the attitude we want to have, we don't have any fear," said the 24-year-old.

"With the pace that we have in the team and the quality of players we have, we are a threat to any team. It doesn't matter who we play."

Reo-Coker feels the homegrown feel to O'Neill's squad gives them a different edge.

"A lot of us have played numerous games in the Championship and the Premiership so we've got the experience in the English league to know what it's like," said the former West Ham midfielder.

"We've got the experience to know what it's like when you get a build-up of games.

"That's what the manager has gone for - the experience of playing in the English league - so we haven't had to adapt to the English game, there's no excuses."