Source: SKY_Sports
Gabby - Top four still on
Gabriel Agbonlahor still believes Aston Villa can secure a UEFA Champions League spot this season.[LNB] And the England striker claims Villa will prove they have not 'hit the wall' by pulling off shock results against Liverpool and Manchester United.[LNB]Martin O'Neill's side have endured a miserable seven-game run without a win in all competitions and their poor league form has allowed Arsenal to catch up on their top four rivals.[LNB]The Gunners are now level on points with Villa, but are above them on goal difference, and it could be worse for O'Neill's team who face trips to Anfield and Old Trafford in their next two fixtures.[LNB]But Agbonlahor, who was targeted by ironic cheers by home fans during last Sunday's defeat to Tottenham, believes Villa's away form could keep their European dreams alive.[LNB]Belief"These games coming up will be tough but we'll be up for them," he said.[LNB]"We've done well away from home, won 10 times in the league, and played with the freedom to hit teams on the counter-attack. Hopefully we'll be able to continue to do that.[LNB]"People are now saying we're on the slide after three poor league results but forget about the run we've been on in recent months.[LNB]"We have lost three games recently to Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham. Many teams lose to them.[LNB]"I know people will also say 'We've hit the wall' but this team is full of shocks and there's no reason why we can't go to Liverpool or Manchester United and get points."[LNB]ArsenalAgbonlahor, who has netted only twice since mid December, added: "These are two massive away games and it will be tough but there's no reason why we can't do something like against Arsenal earlier in the season.[LNB]"We went to Arsenal, where we hadn't won for a while, after losing a couple of league games on the trot and got a great result.[LNB]"We are level on points with Arsenal but they have got tough games to come as well.[LNB]"Hopefully we can go to Liverpool and attack and we are looking to try and win every game for the rest of the season. If we can do that you never know where it will take us.[LNB]"Liverpool have had two great results against Real Madrid and Manchester United but we can go there and cause an upset, like we have done against big teams in the past.[LNB]"I believe we can keep our challenge going to the end of the season.[LNB]"We have worked hard to get where we are and we are not going to throw away easily the hard work we have put in."[LNB]O'NeillO'Neill believes Villa's season would be a success even if they eventually only qualify for next season's Europa League rather than the Champions League.[LNB]He said: "With a little bit of luck we will be playing European football next season. Amid the disappointment of recent weeks that should not be overlooked.[LNB]"That's something we are aiming for at this football club, to make it a regular feature of our calendar. We are aiming to qualify for the second time in the last three years.[LNB]"No-one is going to give it to us. It is very tough and teams are fighting for all sorts of reasons.[LNB]"But I think we are capable of getting a result at Anfield."[LNB]Striker John Carew is pushing for a start after scoring twice in three games as a substitute.[LNB]
