Every day before the Premiership kicks off, TheFA.com will look at the prospects for the 20 clubs involved.

Today it’s the turn of the leading candidates for European qualification: Aston Villa, Birmingham, Charlton, Middlesbrough and Tottenham Hotspur.

There was a huge gap between the Premiership’s top five and the rest last season.

But several clubs have shown huge ambition this season, with UEFA Cup qualification the least of their ambitions.

Middlesbrough will play in Europe this season following their League Cup win. But The arrival of proven goalscorers Mark Viduka and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has led their fans to believe they can break into the top five.

For the first time, England’s second city Birmingham has two clubs ready to challenge for honours.

Birmingham can attract the likes of internationals Emile Heskey and Muzzy Izzett while Villa have added Euro 2004 defender Martin Laursen to the side which missed out on Europe last season on the final day of the season.

London’s second tier Charlton and Spurs are ready as well. Charlton only lacked a goalscorer last season, something Alan Curbishley thinks Francis Jeffers might rectify.

The new Spurs manager Jacques Santini is used to dealing with the very best with France and he has goals in abundance with Jermain Defoe, Freddie Kanoute and Robbie Keane.

ASTON VILLA

Last season: 6th
Bookies prediction this season: 9th
Summer revolving door activity: 4 in (£4.6m), 10 out (£2.15m)

Reasons to be cheerful – David O’Leary has never finished outside the top six in the Premiership.

He knows what is needed for success and the arrival of Martin Laursen to supplement Olof Mellberg will make Villa one of the toughest defences to crack.

Question mark – Reliance on Juan Pablo Angel is a problem. Firstly, the Colombian isn’t always fit and Darius Vassell saves his best for England, according to some sceptical Villa fans. Maybe Carlton Cole on a season’s loan from Chelsea is the answer.

What the gaffer says - "My agenda 12 months ago was to reduce the wage bill and keep the club in the Premiership" – David O’Leary.

Top arrival – Nantes midfielderMathieu Berson snubbed clubs in La Liga and Galatasaray to join Villa.

Key departure – Peter Crouch might have looked like a basketball player but his goalscoring record was always impressive.

Star man – Darius Vassell. Has shown for England he can turn any defence.

Something to prove – Carlton Cole was mentioned in the same breath as Wayne Rooney a couple of years ago but he never got a regular place on loan at Charlton last season.


BIRMINGHAM CITY

Last season: 10th
Bookies prediction this season: 8th
Summer revolving door activity: 8 in (£5.7), 4 out (£1.05m)

Reasons to be cheerful – Steve Bruce has built from the back to establish Premiership survival and is now adding attacking flair in the form of Jesper Gronkjaer and Muzzy Izzet.

Emile Heskey may not be the most prolific scorer around but he will take some of the goal pressure off Mikael Forssell.

Question mark – Expectation has grown at St Andrews to the point where the fans are virtually demanding top six football this season.

Bruce has to ensure that by adding the likes of Gronkjaer, the team’s basic defensive solidity isn’t threatened. The sale of Darren Purse to West Brom may also affect the goals against column.

What the gaffer says - "We all know we’ve got to score a few more goals" – Steve Bruce.

Top arrival – Emile Heskey has been a regular in teams managed by Martin O’Neill, Kevin Keegan, Sven Goran Eriksson and Gerard Houllier. They can’t all be wrong.

Key departure – Darren Purse typified Birmingham’s meanness at the back and Blues loss is West Brom’s gain.

Star Man – Mikael Forsell scored 17 of Birmingham’s 43 league goals last season.

Something to prove – Emile Heskey was replaced as a starter with club and country last season and will want to show he’s been written off prematurely.


CHARLTON ATHLETIC

Last season: 7th
Bookies prediction this season: 11th
Summer revolving door activity: 6 in (£8.85m), 6 out (£1.25m)

Reasons to be cheerful – The Scott Parker money last season has been used in six high-quality players, ranging from flying Dane Dennis Rommedahl to Liverpool’s creative midfielder Danny Murphy.

Question mark – Charlton have lacked a 20-goal-a-season man since they returned to the Premiership and Franny Jeffers will have to improve on his Arsenal form to prove the right man.

Paolo Di Canio’s creativity will be missed.

What the gaffer says - "It was never my intention to spend £10million on one player but to improve the whole squad" – Alan Curbishley.

Top arrival – Francis Jeffers was a £11million striker a couple of years ago and cost Charlton less than a quarter of that.

Key departure – Claus Jensen took all of Charlton’s set pieces and ran many games from midfield.

Star man – Matt Holland is the ultimate consistent Premiership performer, never misses a match and just as rarely has a bad game.

Something to prove – Danny Murphy left Liverpool bemoaning the lack of opportunities for English players to shine. This is his big chance.


MIDDLESBROUGH

Last season: 11th
Bookies prediction this season: 6th
Summer revolving door activity: 5 in (£4.5m), 9 out (£1.25m)

Reasons to be cheerful – Boro won the first trophy in their history last season and winning is a habit.

The defence marshalled by Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu is watertight and new arrivals Mark Viduka and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink should improve the goals for column.

Question mark – Steve McClaren is basing his faith in experience but the likes of Ray Parlour, Michael Reiziger and the aforementioned Viduka and Hasselbaink have to prove they have the energy for a full season in the Premiership.

What the gaffer says - "It is all about winning in the short term and planning in the long" – Steve McClaren.

Top arrival – Mark Viduka saved Leeds two seasons ago with an incredible run of 11 goals in eight games.

Key departure – Jonathan Greening was a youngster McClaren knew well from his Manchester United days.

Star man – Gaizka Mendieta. He has been reborn at The Riverside after going off the boil at Inter and Barcelona.

Something to prove – Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink wasn’t used regularly by Claudio Ranieri at Chelsea last season.


TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Last season: 14th
Bookies prediction this season: 7th
Summer revolving door activity: 8 in (£8.1m), 7 out (£6.8m)

Reasons to be cheerful – Sean Davis might be the midfield leader Spurs fans have been calling for and will help strikers Jermain Defoe, Freddie Kanoute and Robbie Keane produce the goals they are capable of.

Question mark – Tottenham’s soft centre was exposed when they let a 3-0 lead slip against Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup classic.

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson got used to shipping goals at Leeds last season and will have to work hard to prevent a repeat.

What the gaffer says - "Themost important thing is to get to know my players. I like them to work and not be lazy" – Jacques Santini.

Top arrival – Sean Davis felt his England chances were restricted at Fulham and wants to prove he belongs in the big time.

Key departure – Helder Postiga scored against England at Euro 2004 but felt English football wasn’t for him.

Star man – Jermaine Defoe is a natural goalscorer and was given special mention by Sven Goran Eriksson after narrowly missing out on the European Championship.

Something to prove – Jamie Redknapp’s injuries have stalled his career but when fit he is still a lovely player to watch.