By Paul Brown

Martin O'Neill insists Villa are enjoying the challenge of battling in the upper echelons of the Barclays Premier League.

The boss believes the players revel in the intense scrutiny they come under in every game.

The manager also said that - in spite of a rare break in the schedule this week - the next match was never far from his mind.

He said: "It's [pressure] there all the time. It's relentless. It never goes away.

"But I have to say, on the plus side, that's really what you set out to be involved in.

"At this stage of the season, it's great that we have things to look forward to. All that can evaporate in a week or 10 days of course but at the moment it's great.

"It's nice for some of the players who were saying themselves that at other clubs they've been at - at this stage of the season - they have been involved at the other end of the table and it's great just to be here. That's refreshing to hear.

"We are pleased to have got this week because there won't be too many more breaks before the end of the season for us.

"It was just nice to give the lads a couple of days off, which they've deserved.

"Now it's really back to work because we have a lot of big games coming up now, Tottenham immediately even before you start looking at Manchester United or the FA Cup fifth round.

"It's going to be a tough period between now and the end of the season.

"As a player, you sometimes can [get away from the pressure] if you want to mentally. You have other things to look at.

"But from a managerial viewpoint, I'm not so sure you ever take that time out to go and put yourself in neutral.

"I think you're always concerned about the next game coming up. While the week was refreshing for most of us, it's still one of those where the football is never too far away."

The manager accepts the top four debate will continue to be bought up in the coming weeks and months but he insists he's just pleased Villa are "hanging in" with the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham.

He added: "This season I always felt that Manchester City could be very, very strong indeed and inevitably whether it's this season or next season or the season after that they are going to be in contention - not just for top four places but the Premier League itself.

"Tottenham are a very fine footballing side and they have got good strength and depth now.

"Perhaps maybe they have been lacking that for some time but they have that now and they are a really fine side.

"I think those two sides are particularly strong. I've said before - even before we played Liverpool - don't write them off, don't write Liverpool off ever. They have now come back into the limelight. They've had a lot of wins together, a few draws and they are back in contention again so you couldn't possibly write them off.

"As I say, those three sides are particularly strong.

"We are hanging in there with the rest of them. That is not playing it down - we are.

"The players that we possess here are very talented boys who can definitely play and they can hold their own in any company.

"I think that this season is proving it. We are there or thereabouts. We will, in the next couple of weeks, contest the Carling Cup final against Manchester United and I think the players deserve great credit for getting us there."