It's advantage Arsenal, admits Barry
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Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry admits Arsenal hold the upper hand in the race for fourth place - but is refusing to concede defeat.
The England international has played an integral role in Villa's pursuit of a Champions League place this season, but has seen the club suffer a wobble of late.
Martin O'Neill's men have gone seven games without a win, with Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Tottenham prolonging their agony.
That result saw Villa remain in fifth place in the Premier League table, edged out of the top four by Arsenal on goal difference.
They now have nine games in which to overhaul the Gunners, with Barry well aware that forthcoming fixtures against title-chasing Liverpool and Manchester United have taken on added importance.
"Liverpool (on Sunday) is set up for a big game personally and for the team," said Barry, who was involved in a long-running transfer saga with the Reds over the summer. "What happened last summer has all gone in my mind, though the fans will bring it back up.
"Losing to Spurs at the weekend was another blow. It is now advantage to Arsenal in the Champions League race.
"We have two tough fixtures coming up, Liverpool and Manchester United. But if we deliver a performance of the season against one, it could catapult us to a good finish."