O’Neill targets Euro finish

Aston Villa Manager Martin O’Neill has challenged his Villa players to make the most of their UEFA Cup lifeline.

Goals from Ashley Young, John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor in a 5-1 victory over Birmingham City on Sunday helped Villa to the biggest winning margin in a league derby since 1960.

Aston Villa’s European hopes looked over after a poor sequence of results during March which left them eight points adrift of main rivals Everton.

O’Neill said: “We have scored 15 goals in the last three games with Bolton, Derby and Birmingham and have put ourselves in with a chance (of Europe). I have a lot of time for Everton. I think it has been a great season for them. They have been heavily involved in the Carling Cup and the UEFA Cup, a bit unlucky there I think.”