Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill remains confident of a top four finish, despite last night's 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.

The 2-0 reverse means Villa have gone six games without a win, and while three of those were cup matches, their once strong position in the top four is suddenly under attack from Arsenal, who are just three points adrift.

Yet O'Neill insists his team are not getting nervous - and he has vowed the struggle will continue through the final 10 games of an arduous campaign.

"We are not nervous - we are excited," he said.

"Really, if you are not excited by the position we are in, you shouldn't be playing.

"We are in this position because we deserve to be. It would be a shame to throw it up now without a fight - but I don't think we will."

O'Neill intends to take his players on a short break to Dubai, which he feels will get them ready for the challenge that lies ahead.

"We will come back and really stick at it," he said.

"Maybe we are being a bit naive thinking we can challenge those top four sides, who have been up there so consistently over the last few years, but whatever happens, we should relish the challenge."