O'Neill hails Villa's achievement

O'Neill's side will play in the last Intertoto Cup (Getty)

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill says the chance to qualify for Europe next season after finishing sixth in the Premier League is a great achievement.

Villa will play in the Intertoto Cup in July and only have to get through one two-legged tie to make the qualifying round of the Uefa Cup.

He said: "We've improved significantly. To get 60 points with a small squad all season is terrific.

"This time last year we wouldn't be equipped at all to do it."

Villa last played in the Cup in 2002 when they lost at the semi-final stage.

Their previous venture in the competition in 2001 saw them make the first round of the Uefa Cup and the new slimmed-down version of the tournament, in its last year, gives them an excellent chance of a potential repeat next season.