Villa's Friedel predicts fourth-place fight will go to right to the wire

Villa, who face Everton at home tonight, are currently eight points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.

The clash with David Moyes' side is their game in hand on City, while they also have to face Roberto Mancini's men in their penultimate match of the season.

While overhauling an eight-point deficit in the space of six games is going to be tough, Friedel does not think it is impossible.

The veteran American said: "We know how important the next six matches are and we will be up for all those games.

"We all have difficult run-ins, especially Tottenham, and we have still got to play Manchester City. It is going to come down to the last game or two. It's going to be really tight."

Manager Martin O'Neill shares the view that Villa can end their season on a high to make up for the disappointment of being beaten twice at Wembley in the Carling Cup final and FA Cup semi-final.

The Everton game gives Villa a chance to quickly get Saturday's FA Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Chelsea out of their system.

O'Neill said: "The best thing is for us is to look forward immediately to the Everton game as there is still plenty to play for in the Premiership.

"I think I have a fair amount of experience as a player and a manager to get over disappointments. The players are in remarkably good spirits and they have accepted the recent disappointments with a degree of frustration.

"I think they will use their own motivation against Everton to overcome those disappointments. I hope that we will able to elevate our game."