Villa made a good start to the season, but have won just one of their last five outings.
Villa are currently seven points behind Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Faulkner told the Birmingham Mail: “I think Europe sits there as a goal and this year that would be our goal. That’s what we want to try and achieve.
“It’s not easy but I believe it’s do-able this year. We’ve got a lot of ambition.
“The Premier League is very tough but Aston Villa is a great club and we should be up there challenging at the top of the league and we should be there pushing for Europe.
“I think that’s got to be the goal and that should always be the goal for a club like Villa.
“I really do think if we can put a good run together that we’ve got a good squad.”
Faulkner added: “A big part of what we feel is that being in Europe is important psychologically for Villa.
“We’re still one of only four English clubs to win the European Cup. We want to be experiencing those European nights.
“I know I want that back, I know Randy Lerner (club owner) wants that back.
“Everyone knows the financial returns from the Europa League aren’t as great as the Champions League – but they are still significant.”
