Premiership: Trophy chance may have gone - Merson

Aston Villa skipper Paul Merson admits that his last chance of picking up any more trophies before he ends his career may have gone after the shock Worthington Cup defeat by Sheffield Wednesday.

Merson, 33, knows the sands of time are running out if he is to add to the stack of trophies he collected in his lengthy career with Arsenal.

But now he has set his sights on finishing his Villa career - his contract runs out in 18 months’ time - by having another taste of the Champions League via a top-four Premiership placing.

Merson was not even on the bench against the Owls with Villa manager John Gregory resting him for Saturday’s home league encounter with Leicester City but that did not lessen the pain of defeat to Efan Ekoku’s goal.

Merson said: "Wednesday night was a real choker. It is difficult to take. We had a plum draw at home and, with no disrespect to anyone, we fancied our chances in the cup.

"When you looked at the teams left in the competition, only Chelsea looked as if they would be a danger with Arsenal not fielding their first team.

"It’s so disappointing for me. I don’t know how many more chances I’m going to get in my career of winning something.

"There are not many years left. This competition gave me a good chance. Maybe that was my last chance. Maybe that was it.

"But we have to put the disappointment behind us now and I’m hoping I can finish my Villa career by playing in the Champions League next season.

"I am going to be doing everything possible to make sure that happens in the next few months. You want to win cups but the Champions League has always been the main focus."