Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry insists their Champions League hopes are not over ahead of today's trip to Manchester United.

The England midfielder, fresh from the midweek World Cup qualifying triumph over Ukraine, said: "It is advantage Arsenal at present and the last few results have been a big blow to our season.

"We have been a bit down on confidence but at the same time we all realise we are one game away from putting in a good performance and turning it all around again. We can't worry about what has gone on too much. We have to look forward and be positive.

"It is all about the confidence factor. One match can swing us towards a good finish to the season and give us another springboard. We realise we have got tough fixtures coming up but if you can produce the performance of the season it can catapult you on to finishing strongly.

"We were written off when we went to Arsenal after losing a couple of games to Middlesbrough at home and Newcastle away and put in the performance of the season. We should look at that."

Barry feels that Villa have to show the backbone displayed by the leading sides in adversity if they are to salvage their season.

He said: "Character is the big word now. We are going to have to show a lot of that between now and the end of the season.

"When you see the good players, if they can start performing when you are really up against it and the confidence is low, then it is a great sign. I am sure we've got plenty of those in our dressing room and we are looking forward to trying to put things right.

"We are looking at the big picture and the way the season has gone. It will be a big disappointment if we don't finish in the top four but we can't write ourselves off.

"If we are not giving ourselves a chance, no-one is. We realise we have got to stay positive because with what we have achieved already, we can do it again towards the end of the season."