John Carew today talked up Villa’s Champions League hopes after revealing he expects them to finish ahead of Manchester City and Liverpool this season.

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The top-four hopefuls met in today’s Premier League lunch-time kick-off as City’s ex-Villa skipper Gareth Barry came up against his long-term Anfield suitors.

Carew believes the struggling Merseysiders are coming to regret not landing Barry but revealed he is confident Villa will still finish ahead of both come the end of the campaign.

“We can’t think too much about what happens with the teams around us,” he said. “Liverpool seem to miss (Xabi) Alonso and must wish they had got Gareth.

“He is a great player and will definitely be a good player for City.

“Liverpool might regret not getting hold of him.

“I hope and expect, however, both teams to be behind Aston Villa at the end of the season so it won’t be our problem!”

Meanwhile, Carew has lifted the lid on his conversation with Villa defender Richard Dunne yesterday on his return to training after Ireland’s heartbreaking World Cup play-off defeat to France in midweek.

France striker Thierry Henry has received worldwide condemnation for his blatant handball in the lead-up to William Gallas’ winner but Carew revealed Dunne admitted he would have done the same.

“Of course he is disappointed,” said the Norway striker. “But he said he would have probably done the same and stopped it with his hand if he was in that situation out of instinct.

“The referee should have blown up and disallowed it. He should be blamed. Thierry has always been a gentleman on the pitch and I have every respect for him.”