Martin O’Neill believes Villa can continue pressing for Europe as the Premier League’s setpiece kings.

Both Olof Mellberg and Martin Laursen’s goals in last night’s 2-1 win over Tottenham came via deadballs as Villa climbed to sixth and within a point of the Champions League places.

Setpiece goals now account for 18 out of 37 goals Villa have scored this season – more than any other top flight team.

“It’s not something we’re renowned for, but big games are being decided on them,” said boss O’Neill. “You want to try to improve all the time because setpieces have become very important.

“We went to Wigan and conceded from one, and then we scored from one.

“We’ve been trying to improve from setpieces. You have to have the heart and desire to go and do it – and Martin Laursen has that in abundance.

“I thought he was absolutely incredible. I don’t know where he summoned up the energy for that winning goal.

“It’s great when you’ve got someone like Laursen because there’s always a possibility, and Olof Mellberg has come up big to score a goal too.

“You need the delivery to be right and we can do that, no doubt about that.”

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Martin O’Neill believes Villa can continue pressing for Europe as the Premier League’s setpiece kings.

Both Olof Mellberg and Martin Laursen’s goals in last night’s 2-1 win over Tottenham came via deadballs as Villa climbed to sixth and within a point of the Champions League places.

Setpiece goals now account for 18 out of 37 goals Villa have scored this season – more than any other top flight team.

“It’s not something we’re renowned for, but big games are being decided on them,” said boss O’Neill. “You want to try to improve all the time because setpieces have become very important.

“We went to Wigan and conceded from one, and then we scored from one.

“We’ve been trying to improve from setpieces. You have to have the heart and desire to go and do it – and Martin Laursen has that in abundance.

“I thought he was absolutely incredible. I don’t know where he summoned up the energy for that winning goal.

“It’s great when you’ve got someone like Laursen because there’s always a possibility, and Olof Mellberg has come up big to score a goal too.

“You need the delivery to be right and we can do that, no doubt about that.”

Now O’Neill is looking for his side to remain in the top six, adding: “It’s nice to be hanging in there on the coat-tails of those teams. That’s pleasing because it took big desire by the side.”

Matchwinner Laursen insists talk on the serious knee problems he had should now be banned after he came through four games in 11 days.

“It was important to play over the festive period because I wanted to show everyone my knee is fine,” he said. “I’ve played every Premier League game this season so I don’t want to hear any more about my knee. That’s all in the past now and that’s where I want it to stay.”

Mellberg insists Laursen, who like him is out of contract in June, should stay.

“As long as he is OK in himself and he performs the way he is, it’s not a problem and he’s done really well.”