Martin O'Neill has reassured Aston Villa's fans the club's pursuit of European football is far from over, despite their 2-0 defeat to Wigan.Victory for Villa would have increased the pressure on fifth-placed Everton in the battle for the UEFA Cup but the Latics completed only their second away win of the season.

That the first was against a hapless Derby side long since confined to the Championship only emphasises the size of the opportunity O'Neill's men spurned.

But Everton's defeat to Arsenal on Sunday means that both clubs are still in the hunt going into the final game of the season.

The Toffees, who remain three points ahead of Villa, hold the upper hand but if they slip up against Newcastle and O'Neill leads his side to victory at West Ham, Villa would gain an automatic European spot for the first time in nearly a decade.

"We couldn't have put it in our hands (against Wigan) but we could have put severe pressure on Everton and we failed to do that," O'Neill said.

"But I wouldn't be giving up. I think, looking at Everton's matches, winning Premier League games remains as difficult this week as it was last week and the week before and the last couple of years before that."

Even if Everton do manage to edge out the midlands club, O'Neill is upbeat about the possibility of his side's involvement in the frequently maligned Intertoto Cup.

"We have put our names down for the Intertoto Cup and if we finish sixth we would be guaranteed that," said the former Celtic boss.

"If we win against West Ham, which is a tall order, we can't be overhauled for sixth.

"The Intertoto is not as stringent or severe as it used to be, where it was a case of getting ready in June for games. It's now one main game at a time when you would be playing pre-season anyway."

And O'Neill even believes the competition could be the key to selling the club to potential new arrivals in the summer.

"In terms of attracting players, European football always helps," he added.

"And despite the result (against Wigan), if we finish sixth I think people will see we are improving."

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