Aston Villa's players are starting to show the "strong mentality" needed to sustain their push for a Champions League spot, claims England midfielder Gareth Barry. "We are in the Champions League places. We are in with a good chance of staying up there. We have played everyone now, we know we can beat anyone on our day and get a result anywhere.

"We have got to aim high and that will be the Champions League now. There is no point in denying it. We are in form with our run of results.

"That sort of form breeds confidence into players and we are going into games confident of winning."

Barry knows clinching a top four place is the priority.

He said: "The aim is to try and get that fourth spot. We have got to be realistic about it. There are players in the dressing room who haven't been in this situation before including myself.

"The majority of players haven't been in a run-in where the pressure is going to be getting to players and there is going to be a lot at stake.

"You are going to need strong players and a strong mentality. I think we are getting that.

"If you are winning games, there is a strong mentality there. We are not always playing well but the results are there and that is down to a strong mentality."