Crunch time for Villa in Euro race
Martin O'Neill believes Villa have entered a pivotal week in their quest to qualify for Europe.
Villa host Middlesbrough on Wednesday before going to UEFA Cup hopefuls and FA Cup semi-finalists Portsmouth on Saturday.
Victories for Liverpool and Everton last the weekend mean O'Neill's side are now eight points adrift of fourth spot, while Manchester United's FA Cup exit now means sixth place won't be enough to qualify for the UEFA Cup.
O'Neill said: "It's a massive week. We've got two games in four days and it's a very important time for us.
"Potentially pivotal? It's a very important week in terms of our hopes because after Portsmouth, we're down to eight games.
"And while there are still 24 points available from eight games, it becomes less room for error.
"Everything's important anyway, but it's magnified now because we don't have the time or the games to put it right if it goes wrong.
"Whereas before if it was mid-season, you move to the next game and put it right.
"Now it's down to the crunch – we've got 10 games left and we need to win quite a few of them."
Villa will have been out of action for 10 days before facing a Boro team on Wednesday who will be smarting after being dumped out of the Cup by Championship side Cardiff yesterday.
But he insists his squad must ignore what's happened to other teams.
"The negative about the break is teams were given a chance to get ahead of us," he said.
"Psychologically it can be better if you're not playing catch-up all the time."But I don't think we can worry too much about what's happening elsewhere. So I'm not overly concerned about it.
"The one issue is after a break we've now got two games in four days.
"But I suppose we should be fresher than Middlesbrough, who were in FA Cup action. The break couldn't be avoided and we've just got to deal with it."
O'Neill added: "I've been very pleased with the squad, considering the amount of work they've put in, hence giving them those days off because it will be pretty hectic between now and the end of the season."
Villa are forced into at least one change with Curtis Davies out long term and Zat Knight is expected to slot straight back in at centre-half.
But with a hectic schedule, O'Neill hinted at more changes, adding: "Would I change things? It's always very possible."