Stiliyan Petrov says FA Cup exit will help Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League

Stiliyan Petrov says Aston Villa will use the disappointment of being knocked out of the FA Cup as motivation to qualify for the Champions League.Villa are eight points off fourth-placed Manchester City in seventh with a game in hand over Roberto Mancini's men.It's a tall order for Villa, who were beaten 3-0 by Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday, to make up that sort of ground with six games of their season remaining. At full stretch: Villa's Stiliyan Petrov tries to hold off Chelsea midfielder Joe ColeBut midfielder Petrov still believes his side can make up the gap, starting with Wednesday's Premier League clash against Everton at Villa Park.He said: 'I think after the heavy defeat against Chelsea, we came back and did well against Bolton and then against Chelsea again. That showed the spirit we have got.'It won't be hard to pick ourselves up again now - we showed what we can do by coming back after that 7-1 loss to Chelsea.'Now we are looking forward to the next match against Everton because we are fighting for Europe.'We are really trying to get there. Our desire is very strong. After the disappointments in the final and semi-final, it will make us even stronger to get there.' Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill blasts referee Howard Webb after FA Cup semi-final defeatAston Villa must keep hold of Martin O'Neill, insists John Carew ASTON VILLA FC

Source: Daily_Mail