Striker Marlon Harewood believes qualification for the UEFA Cup will give him a chance to set his Villa career alight.

He made just one Premier League start in his first season at Villa Park following last summer’s £4m move from West Ham as he was forced to take a back-seat role behind first-choice pairing John Carew and Gabby Agbonlahor.

The 28-year-old proved to be an effective impact player off the bench, however, netting five league goals in his 22 substitute appearances.

Harewood admits he had hoped to play more, but expects to get more opportunities under Martin O’Neill this term with Villa’s fixture list set to swell if they reach the UEFA Cup.

Harewood said: “I’m definitely pleased with how it’s gone. Obviously I wanted to play more, but that’s the gaffer’s choice at the end of the day.

“I’m looking forward to the new season and hopefully I can show him I can be a regular. It will be a good thing for me if we get into Europe, we’ll have more games so I can show everyone my ability.”

Harewood’s future has been a topic of speculation this summer with QPR, Fulham, Stoke and Rangers all linked with the former Nottingham Forest man, who has two years on his contract.

Villa will be a step closer to knowing their Intertoto Cup rivals tomorrow with Lisburn Distillery travelling to Finland for their second leg against TPS Turku.