Martin O'Neill has insisted Aston Villa are heading in the right direction despite their mini slump, which he refuses to blame on fatigue.Villa will be looking to end a run of five games without a win when they entertain Premier League bottom-three side Bolton on Saturday.

The team have appeared jaded in recent weeks in sharp contrast to the performance in the 1-1 draw at Arsenal when they came within seconds of pulling off a shock win.

Players such as Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young are struggling to reproduce the form which earned them England recognition from Fabio Capello.

But O'Neill is adamant Villa are making progress although he accepts his squad will need strengthening considerably in the summer if they are to continue on an upward curve.

The former Celtic boss said: "It is time to win again, simple as that. We've got to go and win the game. We have to be really positive and we have to start very brightly.

"In the last two home games against Middlesbrough and Sunderland, we haven't created enough and it is up to us to force things without leaving a gap or two at the back which can be exploited.

"It is up to everyone to reproduce the form that got us into that good position in the first place only a short while ago.

"Is the team tired? I've got my own view and I don't think that is the case at all, That is my view. People can read whatever they want into it.

"That is not something that was levelled at us less than a month ago when we were a few seconds away from winning at Arsenal after an excellent performance.

"My view is we don't have European football so the players are playing once a week. It is not about a lack of numbers, it is about a lack of form.

"We are not pleasing very many people at the moment, including our fans, and we have got to do something about it and we might as well start tomorrow."

O'Neill added: "Have Villa made as much progress as I would have liked? If you had asked me the question a month ago, I would have said I've been very pleased with the team.

"The season doesn't end in early March and you have to keep going. Had we eked out the wins at home against Middlesbrough and Sunderland, it would have kept us right up there.

"Am I happy where are after two years? We would love to make it rapidly but we are definitely making progress and I don't want Aston Villa to think finishing mid-table is really great news. It is not what you want to do.

"We are definitely making progress but I want it to be quick if it is at all possible. You want a quality-sized squad and we will address that in the summer."

The lack of the 'big four' in the FA Cup semi-finals means only fifth place will guarantee a side a UEFA Cup spot next season.

O'Neill said: "Europe remains the goal this season. If you finish sixth and don't make it, when seventh place did so last season, I would say that is a bit of bad luck.

"If you are telling me sixth would be a substantial improvement on last year, I would say yes."

Nine-goal leading scorer John Carew looks like winning his battle to be fit for the clash with Gary Megson's side.

The Norwegian international limped out of the 4-0 mauling by Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend with a groin strain but has been making good progress over the past few days.

Midfielder Craig Gardner is again ruled out with the thigh injury picked up on England Under-21 duty against Poland.

O'Neill has to decide whether to continue with midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker at right-back or switch Olof Mellberg back to the flank and bring in Zat Knight alongside Martin Laursen in the middle of the defence.

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