Ronald Koeman insists Saints have their sights set on Wembley – but first they have to get past Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup.

Saints reached the last eight of the competition for the second season in a row thanks to a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at St Mary’s last night.

With the fourth round accounting for the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, there were far kinder potential draws for Saints than Liverpool.

But they at least face former players like Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren at home, with the tie to be played in the week commencing November 30.

It will be a huge occasion as Saints bid to get within touching distance of a major Wembley final, something which is in Koeman’s sights.

He said: “You know it’s difficult because I think everybody takes it seriously.

“If I watch yesterday the happiness of the fans when the teams are winning by penalties and the players I think it’s an honour to play at Wembley and to play for a title.

“Ok, if you are a player of Man City then of course you have more possibilities to win but we showed already that we can beat the big ones.

“You have to be a little bit lucky in the draw but it’s one of our ambitions to reach the final and to give our amazing fans the opportunity to go to Wembley and to play for something.

“I think that’s what every player, what every manager, likes to do, to go to Wembley and fight for a trophy, even the Capital One.

“For us it’s an important one.”

The other quarter-final ties see Middlesbrough host Everton, Sheffield Wednesday travel to Stoke and Manchester City take on Hull at the Etihad Stadium.

Saints made seven changes for the game against Villa, but Koeman will have to decide whether to field his first choice side when Liverpool come calling.

However, the players he put out last night had too much for Villa and he felt were worthy of their victory, particularly for their second half display.

“They didn’t create big chances. We also not in the first 45 minutes,” he reflected.

“Of course it was an important moment after half time to score the first one and that gave the team really the confidence to show that we are better than Aston Villa.”