We’re in the top four and deserve to be there, insists bullish Sidwell
Sidwell is confident Villa have the ability and mental strength to handle the pressure as the season reaches a climax and sustain their challenge for a Champions League place.
Villa return to league action today when they entertain bottom side West Brom, looking to build on an eight-game unbeaten run.
The former Reading midfielder said: “If you look at the way things are going at the moment, we are probably the in-form team in the Premier League.
“We are fourth. We are there because of our results, whether we have deserved them or not. It is a good time for the club.
“The ability is there to keep it going. We have shown it so far this season and it is down now to us. We are in a great position to finish in the top four.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better position to be in coming out of Christmas to try and finish fourth.
“Of course, it all boils down to where you are in May and, if you are not there then, it could be a disappointing season. But I think we can handle the pressure.
“As the season goes on we are going to be a victim of our own success if we carry on going in the UEFA Cup and other competitions.
“We are going to keep getting games and it is down to the squad to cope with it. We have put ourselves in this position. The players here are strong enough mentally to deal with that and we’ve got enough quality in the team to do it as well.”
Meanwhile Villa are optimistic midfielder Gareth Barry will be able to avoid undergoing surgery on a groin problem which first flared up two months ago.
The England player was rested for the FA Cup third round clash at Gillingham after Villa manager Martin O’Neill felt the injury restricted his movement during the Premier League game at Hull 10 days ago.
Barry is expected to return to action todays but O’Neill admitted Villa will carefully monitor his fitness.
O’Neill said: “Gareth wants to play. His is a situation where we will just monitor it. If it gets really bad, then we will maybe have to take him out of things and do one of those little operations.
“The groin was the sorest it has been against Hull and I thought it was restricting him in the game.
“But he has had a rest for a few days and now he wants to play.”
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