Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce believes the top four could be challenged next season by an outsider.

He said: "Aston Villa have had a good go by spending considerable amounts of money and nearly got there. Everton are always around there and Manchester City, if they spend the billions they have got, will get there eventually if they are not too impatient.

"But the top four do lose games to the lesser sides, and that makes the Premier League so exciting."