Aston Villa in the UEFA Cup?

After going four games without a win, Villa will not welcome a match with Man Utd at Old Trafford. The match could however be a great stepping stone to turn around recent form and place Villa in a home straight to the UEFA Cup.

With just two points from a possible twelve and having only won two of its last nine matches and having scored no more than one goal in six of its last eight outings it has quashed a dream Champions League finish but not necessarily a UEFA cup spot.

The injury to Curtis Davies started the decline after his fine performances earned him an England call up. The fact that Villa has the smallest squad of players in the premiership has started to show as fatigue kicks in.

Martin O'Neill could have been a bit more assertive in the transfer window to bolster the squad. I respect that he has not rushed into purchasing just anyone but it was evident that the defence was weak in back up players. The sale of Gary Cahill to Bolton has been felt and the season so far has not seen Villa play a natural right back in any of their games.

Looking at the positives; wherever Villa finish this season whether they qualify for Europe or not the season will have been a very successful one. The progression has been exciting and with a very young squad packed with promising players whom some are on the brink of breaking into the England squad; next season shall be full of promise.

Martin O'Neill has brought the best out of Gabby Agbonlahor, Gareth Barry and Ashley Young who a season ago were not internationally recognised.

Villa can remain positive in April and May as they will not face any of the top four teams and will relish a derby clash against Birmingham rivals Birmingham City. Travelling to Goodison Park to face Everton on Sunday 27th April 2008 will be a real opportunity to stake a claim for the UEFA cup. After already beating Everton earlier on in the season this match will potentially be the biggest match for Villa in recent years.

Goalscoring is another problem at the present time and resting a few of the strikers could have been an option had the squad been a little meatier. Martin O'Neill will have to sort this problem if UEFA cup qualification is realistic.

Scott Carson has had a great season with fine performances, it will be a huge loss for Villa if they cannot make his loan move a permanent one. Carson could be the key to shutting Man Utd today.

European qualification must be the goal for Villa who with games against Bolton, Derby, Birmingham, Everton, Wigan and West Ham after playing Man Utd today looks a real good run in with Villa capable of beating all of these teams and having already done so this season apart from a draw with Bolton could have a successful finish.

UEFA Cup qualification will be as follows: -

Finish fifth or sixth in Premiership, if Liverpool do not win Champions League

Top Fair Play League, if England finish top three overall

Enter and win the Intertoto Cup

Good luck Villa you will need it.