Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg is pessimistic about their chances of European qualification.

Mellberg said: “Can we qualify for Europe? We can but it looks tough with the sort of form that Liverpool and Everton are in. It is going to be difficult.”

“We are in the same position as four years ago when we came sixth and missed out on goal difference to Newcastle, when again only the first five in the Premier League qualified for Europe. We need to give it a go. That’s all we can do - put in better performances than against Middlesbrough and be a bit lucky with other results as well and then maybe we will have a chance.”

“We haven’t been that consistent throughout the whole season but we have shown we are able to bounce back. We have one of the best records for coming back from a goal down.”