Villa boss Martin O'Neill

Manager Martin O'Neill has challenged his Aston Villa players to make the most of their UEFA Cup lifeline after demolishing relegation-threatened Birmingham 5-1 in the derby clash at Villa Park.

Villa's European hopes looked over after a woeful sequence of results during March left them eight points adrift of main rivals Everton.

But a trio of victories have revived their chances and now success over the Toffees at Goodison Park on Sunday will take them above David Moyes' side on goal difference.

O'Neill said: "We have scored 15 goals in the last three games with Bolton, Derby and Birmingham and have put ourselves in with a chance (of Europe).

"I have a lot of time for Everton. I think it has been a great season for them. They have been heavily involved in the Carling Cup and the UEFA Cup, a bit unlucky there I think.

"But we are going there knowing we have to win the game to give ourselves a chance and have to try and make the most of the opportunity facing us.

"We hit a sticky patch in March, which was the last thing I had been expecting after we had come within seconds of winning at Arsenal, but we have responded.

"We always said we would keep trying for Europe as long as there was a chance. It is a game towards the end of the week I'll look forward to but for now I am delighted with how we performed in the derby."

Goals from Ashley Young (two), John Carew (two) and Gabriel Agbonlahor helped Villa to the biggest winning margin in a league derby since they triumphed 6-2 in the old Division One in October 1960.

Young was in particularly fine form in front of watching England head coach Fabio Capello and is relishing the free role given to him by O'Neill.

The Villa chief said: "I thought Ashley, with the England manager here, would have done his chances of getting into future England squads no harm whatsoever. He was brilliant.

"He has been terrific all season. My own view is he has been brilliant since he arrived here. It is just a matter of trying to get him in possession of the ball."