Martin O'Neill has warned he will wield the axe this summer if any player does not pull his weight as the climax to the season approaches. Villa had looked to be on course to claim a UEFA Champions League spot a few weeks ago but have wobbled badly of late, handing the momentum back to Arsenal.

He said: "If the results are not there, everybody knows the consequences.

"At the end of the day, if the team has not made real, proper progress in that time then I will review the situation.

"But as far as I am concerned, the side now, with a bit of luck, could again qualify for European football.

"There is still the possibility we could come anywhere between fourth and eighth. We still have to win matches but we could qualify (for the Europa League) for a second successive year.

"I am here to try and improve Aston Villa and I think that is what I am doing. The players have been improving.

"That is what I shall be judged on. It is about where we finish."

O'Neill added: "Every side has blips. I was speaking to Sir Alex Ferguson and he said exactly the same.

"Even very good players lose confidence. Great players even lose confidence even when they have lost only a couple of games.

"But I don't think we have lost our determination. We should have got something from the Manchester United game (on Sunday) and now all our focus is on Everton (this coming Sunday)."