Martin O'Neill has warned his players their efforts over the last 10 months will ultimately be judged by what happens on the final day of the season.

Victory for Villa at West Ham will guarantee European football next season - whether through the Intertoto or directly into the UEFA Cup. Defeat on the other hand could mean O'Neill's men end the season empty handed.

And though the season represents a big step in the right direction whatever transpires on Sunday, the Villa boss is determined to finish the job off.

He told www.avfc.co.uk: "In many ways our whole season could be judged on what happens on Sunday. But that's the same for a lot of teams.

"Let's say either Manchester United or Chelsea win both the Premier League and Champions League - does that mean it's been a poor season then for the other team?

"I tend not to agree with that all or nothing approach. In the final analysis I think qualifying for Europe, either automatically or through a shortened Intertoto, would be fine.

"This time last year our position at the minute would have been enough to have guaranteed European football straight off without thinking about the Intertoto.

 "There's obviously been a big improvement in the team from last year but that may be pushed by the wayside if we fail to qualify for Europe."

Looking ahead to Sunday's trip to Upton Park, O'Neill added: "I suppose you could say it's something of a Cup Final. We would certainly have had a complete Cup Final feel about it had we got the result against Wigan - it's disappointing that it's not in our hands.

"However we know that anything is possible on Sunday. Everton could get nervous, Blackburn Rovers will now feel as if they're in with a real shout and they've got a tough game at Birmingham City.

"Portsmouth are also still looking to end the League season well. Just a week before the FA Cup Final they'll want to win the last League game.

"There's loads to play for and it's intriguing in that we can still qualify automatically for Europe by finishing fifth - which would be phenomenal - or if the results go against us and we don't play well again we could drop out altogether.

"There are so many things to play for up and down the Premier League. There'll be more than a few nerves up and down the country on Sunday.

"It would have been fantastic to have gone into this game knowing that almost everything was in our hands and that the only thing we could be done on was goal difference, as long as we won.

"But it's not like that. We have to win the game and if we do so the worst we can do is finish in sixth. That's Europe and that's a terrific achievement.

"I shouldn't have to worry too much about what's happening elsewhere. Of course it would be great if results could go our way, but we have got to look after our own game."