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Of all the ifs, buts and maybes Aston Villa face this summer, one thing is for certain - lifting that elusive FA Cup still tops the long-suffering supporters’ wishlist.

It has been 57 years since Villa got their hands on domestic football’s finest knockout prize and the less said about last season’s involvement in the competition the better.

Almost a third of those polled reckons bringing those sepia-tinted memories of Peter McParland and Jonny Dixon up to date with a modern-day FA Cup triumph would be their most hoped for achievement in the forthcoming campaign.

While it is not a second thought for many managers nowadays, it remains a priority for Villa followers.

Added to the 17 per cent who are dreaming of a League Cup win, it means that almost half of Villa fans would like to see Villa lift a cup over and above whatever they can achieve in the Premier League.

A quarter of supporters most want Villa to finish in the European places with a surge up the Premier League table next season.

Having just about wrestled bragging right back from the Baggies last season, remaining West Midlands top dogs is what 16 per cent of Villa fans would most like to achieve again.

That’s what they hope will happen, as for what Villa supporters think will happen... Just over a quarter (28 per cent) expect their team to be relegated.

As for the handful of wishful thinkers who believe the claret and blues will finish in the top four, we kindly ask that they send a case of whatever they’ve been drinking to Birmingham Mail towers...