By Paul Brown

Martin O'Neill thinks the football fraternity will be wishing Gareth Southgate well in his survival bid - but insists there'll be no room for sentiment in the Villa camp this weekend.

O'Neill believes even claret and blue fans will be hoping Southgate can steer Middlesbrough out of the relegation scrap this season because of his classy character and status as a claret and blue stalwart.

But the Villa boss insists his team's bid for fifth is massively important and dictates a 'no mercy' approach as they look for a psychological boost before the end of the season.

He told AVTV: "Gareth is a popular lad in football. He is a bit like Gianfranco Zola in that sense. He is a young manager trying to make his way in the game. It's a tough old business, really tough. But he knows that.

"You always get the feeling - win, lose or draw - that he will come out and speak honestly about each match.

"Everyone does wish him well. He was a player here - and an excellent one at that. I genuinely feel his service is appreciated by most of the Villa fans. I accept there's banter when he comes back but overall his service to the football club was terrific.

"His team are now fighting for their lives and it's a massively important game for them. They will be giving everything they possibly can - and they still have a chance of surviving. I heard Gareth saying it's out of their control but they will feel if they can win their final two games it might be enough to stay up.

"But we've still got plenty to play for. We want to finish fifth. I accept Middlesbrough will be fighting - but so should we. We covet fifth position and we will be going all out to achieve that."