Gareth Barry says mental strength will be the key if Villa are to secure Champions League football next season.
Villa ace backing team-mates to pull through
Gareth Barry says mental strength will be the key if Aston Villa are to secure UEFA Champions League football next season.
Martin O'Neill's side have been in superb form this term and currently command a five-point lead over fifth-placed Arsenal.
Many of Villa's stars are yet to experience the mental strains that come with a pressured run-in and Barry believes everyone at the club needs to stay strong.
Villa ground out a 1-0 success at Portsmouth in midweek and the England international thinks the club will be able to finish inside the top four and book a place in next season's Champions League.
Realistic
"The aim is to try and get that fourth spot. We have got to be realistic about it," said Barry. "We are in with a good chance of staying up there.
"There are players in the dressing room who haven't been in this situation before, including myself.
"The majority of players haven't been in a run-in where the pressure is going to be getting to players and there is going to be a lot at stake.
"You are going to need strong players and a strong mentality. I think we are getting that.
"If you are winning games, there is a strong mentality there. We are not always playing well but the results are there and that is down to a strong mentality."
