Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere says that the Gunners are intent on achieving a direct route to the Champions League.

The North London club need just a point from their last game of the season, against Aston Villa next weekend, to ensure that they finish third in the league table and avoid pre-season qualifiers.

The 24-year-old told arsenal.com: "We like to think we can win most of our home games.

"I don't know what happened to Aston Villa this season, but I don't expect them to come and just let us beat them.

"We said a few weeks back that we don't want to get fourth, we don't want to have to face a qualifier. We want to be straight in there and enjoy the season without having to play a big game beforehand."