Martin O'Neill would take a Champions League spot ahead of European glory this season, according to Pat Nevin.

Villa take on CSKA Moscow in the last 32 of this season's Uefa Cup on Wednesday, knowing an all-English meeting with Tottenham is the potential reward for victory in the two-legged tie.

Yet O'Neill's side are also heavily involved in the scrap for a top-four Premier League spot, two points ahead of Chelsea and an impressive seven in front of fifth-placed Arsenal.

Given the riches on offer in Europe's number one competition, former Scotland winger Nevin feels O'Neill would take that before the chance of a trophy.

"If you got Martin in a quiet corner, with the tape recorders switched off and asked him whether he wanted the top four or Europe, he would say top four," said Nevin.

"But you do not get choices in football. He doesn't know how the rest of the league is going to go. Arsenal and Chelsea might go on runs that eventually make that fourth spot impossible. He also knows the glory that would surround winning the UEFA Cup."

He added: "If you are a Villa fan it would be extraordinary. Ask them what they want, fourth in the league or a piece of silverware they can look back on? In 20 years' time what will people remember?"

© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.