Martin O'Neill is confident Aston Villa will be able to hang on to key players even if they fail to qualify for Europe. Villa now have to finish in the top five of the Barclays Premier League to achieve that goal after Tottenham Hotspur's Carling Cup triumph and the failure of the top four to reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

They are currently eight points adrift of Liverpool and Everton going into their match against Middlesbrough at Villa Park on Wednesday. Gabriel Agbonlahor has already been the subject of speculation linking him with a move away, while Ashley Young has forced his way into the England squad.

But manager O'Neill has no fears about losing the star pair if Villa miss out on a spot in the Champions League or UEFA Cup.