Aston Villa boss wants a top six finish

Mar 3 2009 Birmingham Mail

MARTIN O’Neill has challenged his side to claim a top six place within weeks – so his side can then focus on a run-in spent chasing fourth and the Champions League.

Villa remain six points clear of Arsenal, are eight clear of Everton and a whopping 16 points clear of West Ham in seventh.

Barring a miracle ninth-placed Fulham, with a game in hand, will not win their remaining 12 matches to finish on 70 points.

So Villa will need nowhere near the mathematical cut-off six more wins to guarantee direct entry into the UEFA Cup.

“We have still got 11 games to go and we can still bounce back (from Sunday),” said O’Neill.

“There will be a lot of twists and turns. A lot of them.

“With Manchester United winning the League Cup then sixth place qualifies you for Europe.

“So with the way we are going, if we pick up some more points, we can secure that position for a start.