Mellberg eyes Euro legacy

Olof Mellberg makes his final curtain call for Villa on Sunday hoping to leave them his biggest legacy – a place in Europe.

In Mellberg’s seven years at the club, Villa have never qualified for Europe.

The closest they have come was in 2003-04 when they finished sixth under David O’Leary.

But the 30-year-old, who has signed a three-year contract with Juventus, wants to leave with Villa in Europe.

To do that, they have to secure victory at West Ham to clinch a UEFA Cup spot and hope Newcastle beat Everton.

“This is a big game for me, my last one, and who knows it could be big for Villa too?” said Mellberg.

“We’re still in it for that fifth spot. It’s a big game in that aspect. It would be fantastic for Villa to get into Europe.

“That’s the goal we’ve had – ever since I came to the club we’ve wanted to be up there challenging on a regular basis. I haven’t really been obsessed with playing in Europe, but I’d really like to have taken Villa there.

“That’s a huge achievement in itself – taking a club into Europe through the Premiership, which is probably the strongest league in the world at the moment. It’s stronger than ever.

“We had a similar season under David O’Leary, when Juan Pablo Angel scored all those goals. We finished sixth and got nothing. I was the captain, so that season was special. Now finishing fifth would be fantastic.”