Villa boss Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill insists Aston Villa are 'ready to go' in pursuit of Uefa Cup qualification, despite acknowledging it will be a 'tall order'.

With Tottenham Hotspur having won the Carling Cup, and Portsmouth the sole European contenders still in the FA Cup, it is likely that a fifth-placed finish will be required to qualify for the Uefa Cup.

Villa are currently eight points adrift of Everton, but could cut that gap with victory at home to Middlesbrough in their game in hand on Wednesday.

O'Neill is aware of the task confronting Villa, but is looking forward to the challenges which lie ahead in the final 10 Premier League fixtures.

"You've got to finish fifth now," conceded O'Neill on Sky Sports News.

"Last season it went down as far as seventh, but this year only one is guaranteed a Uefa Cup spot outside the top four.

"It's a tall order, but we're ready to go.

"We've got 10 games left and you're virtually having to win the majority of football matches.

"It's there for us. We've got to go and try and do it. There shouldn't be anything to be frightened of."