Villa sneaking up on fourth, warns Carragher

THE SPECTRE of Aston Villa — rather than long-term rivals Newcastle — taking the final Champions League spot from Liverpool is starting to haunt the Anfield club.

And defender Jamie Carragher, Gerard Houllier's man of the match in the 2-0 win over Middlesbrough on Sunday which kept Liverpool in fourth spot, has voiced the growing fear that Villa could even be given a helping hand by Manchester United on the final, dramatic day of the season.

Liverpool, who won at United just over a week ago, will have to face Newcastle at Anfield on the last day, while Villa will meet the Old Trafford men at the same time.