Villa apply for the Intertoto Cup

Villa played in the Intertoto Cup between 2001 and 2003

Aston Villa have applied to enter next season's Intertoto Cup competition.

Villa are currently sixth in the Premier League but could qualify for Europe next season via the Intertoto by finishing as low as eighth.

"We're just covering bases but we've got a chance and we're going to try and charge on if we can," Villa boss Martin O'Neill told the club's website.

"This is in no way a signal that we've given up hope of qualifying for Europe automatically," O'Neill added.

Villa played in the Intertoto Cup in successive seasons between 2001 and 2003.

Their first venture in the competition saw them qualify for the first round proper of the Uefa Cup where they were beaten by Varteks Varazdin.

The following season they beat FC Zurich but lost their semi-final tie to Lille despite going into the second leg at home level on aggregate and with the advantage of an away goal.

The way the season normally pans out we'd be back in early July anyway, so why not have it as an option? Villa boss Martin O'Neill

The Intertoto has been restructured since then though and Villa would have to get through just one two-legged tie before the second qualifying round of the Uefa Cup.

"We didn't apply last season when they were talking about it we had a lot of ground to make up.

"We're still making up that ground, but we're a bit better equipped this time round.

"The way the season normally pans out we'd be back in early July anyway, so why not have it as an option?"