VILLA CANNOT STAND STILL, WARNS MELLBERG

Mellberg - warning for Villa.

Olof Mellberg bade farewell to Aston Villa with a warning they must strengthen if they are to continue snapping at the heels of the Barclays Premier League's big four.

Villa failed to qualify for the UEFA Cup but could yet squeeze into Europe through the back door after claiming a spot in the Intertoto Cup with their 2-2 draw at West Ham.

Boss Martin O'Neill ultimately hopes to challenge the big four of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool and secure a place in the Champions League.

But Mellberg, who on Sunday played his last game for Villa before joining Juventus, insists that will only happen if they retain their best players and made new additions to the squad.

"It will be difficult to break into the big four. At the moment Villa are trying to establish themselves just behind the big four," he said.

"That is not easy because a lot of sides are in the chasing pack and are competing for those positions.

"If we can establish ourselves for a couple of seasons just outside those Champions League places then maybe we can push into the top four.

"I know the club wants to keep their best players and they will have to if they are to ever challenge the top teams.

"To achieve their ambition they have to keep the squad together and add a few more players."

The crucial test of Villa's ambition lies in their determination to prevent skipper Gareth Barry leaving the midlands this summer.

They have planned showdown talks with the England midfielder and hope owner Randy Lerner can persuade him to reject a £10million move to Liverpool.

"It's a decision to be made by Gareth and the club. They will meet and discuss it over the next few weeks. We'll see what happens," said Mellberg.

"Gareth is very important to Villa - he's been a key player for us for many seasons now."

Defying the stereotype of the modern-day mercenary footballer, Mellberg brought down the curtain on his seven years at Villa with an outstanding gesture to fans.

The big-hearted Sweden defender spent over £40,000 ensuring that every one of Villa's 3,200 travelling contingent at Upton Park received a club shirt bought and signed by himself.

"It was my own idea. It was an unusual situation for me because I knew so far in advance that I was leaving at the end of the season," he said.

"During the last few months so many fans have asked me for a signed shirt and so I thought it would be a good idea.

"I would have liked to have done it for my last home game last weekend but I thought 45,000 shirts might be a bit too costly!

"I also wanted to do something nice particularly for the away fans because they have supported us and me throughout the year and they have been fantastic this season.

"This game had been sold out for quite some time so the club knew how many shirts to make and so I hope everyone got a shirt.

"I wouldn't be here, making the money I have from football if it was not for those supporters so the cost was not an issue."

Mellberg heads for Italy with a ringing endorsement from O'Neill.

"Olof has been a splendid professional footballer over the years I have known him - and a lot longer than that. He goes to Juventus with our best wishes," said O'Neill.

"It was a lovely gesture from him regarding the shirts. I'm not sure I would have done it - I wouldn't have the same money!"