Friday Dec 28 2007 09:02
Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker believes European qualification is in his side's grasp this season.
Villa consolidated eighth place in the table with their 4-4 Boxing Day thriller against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Martin O'Neill's side are now unbeaten in their last three games and Reo-Coker - a £7.5million summer signing from West ham - believes a place in next season's UEFA Cup or even Champions League is a realistic goal.
"I've always been aware of the Christmas period," said the former England Under-21 captain.
"You have to make sure that you do remain within touching distance of the two top teams.
"If you can make sure that you come out of the back end of January and you are just six to nine points off second place then you are having a really great season.
"It is really coming down to the fact that we have to make sure that we push ourselves all the way.
"The possibility of qualifying for the UEFA Cup and the Champions League is there to be achieved.
"If we can get on a good run then we will put ourselves in a good position to achieve this kind of objective."
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