Calling all supporters: Your clubs need you!

IT'S STILL all to play for as Blues and Villa head into the closing weeks of the season. Blues have the scent of promotion back to the Premier League in their nostrils, while Villa can still round off another fine season by finishing fifth and qualifying for the Europa League. To that end, the Mail is calling on all supporters to turn Your Shout into a moan-free zone between now and the end of the season and support your teams in their hour of need.

MY HOPES, like those of every other Villa fan, were raised to disproportionate levels after our great start to the season.

Champions League football beckoned, we looked as if we could break the Big Four monopoly and I honestly thought we could win the UEFA Cup.

Sadly, it was a step too far and, to be fair, we all probably knew it was.

But I'm proud of what Villa have done this season.

If we finish fifth, and get into the new Europa League, that will mean we are still making great progress under Martin O'Neill.

We've been let down by the size of our squad and we have missed Martin Laursen more than I thought we would.

But James Milner, Ashley Young, Stiliyan Petrov, Gabby Agbonlahor, Gareth Barry and John Carew have been magnificent.

We have played some brilliant football this season and have been unlucky not to win games we should have (West Ham and Wigan for instance).

With a few quality additions in the summer, I honestly believe Villa can challenge the Big Four and get that Champions League place.

O'Neill is a top Alex on manager. He has worked wonders in the short time he has been here and his passion for the game is there for everyone to see as he jumps up and down on the touchline, kicking every ball.

All loyal Villa fans must get behind him and the team and he will, I'm sure, get the job done.

Keep your heads held high, Villa, you haven't let anybody down.

J MORRIS, Castle Bromwich WE MUST not give up hope of Villa finishing in the top four.

Arsenal still have to play Man United, Liverpool and Chelsea and are still involved in the Champions League whereas we only have the Prem to concentrate on.

Arsenal could well come out of those three games with no points at all. They are only seven points ahead of us (okay, they have a game in hand) but we must get behind Martin O'Neill and the lads until a top four place is an impossibility.

Arsenal will be under more pressure than us to qualify for the Champions League and if they lose a couple of games, anything can happen.

Come on, there are still 15 points to play for so let's give it our best shot.

Our no-win streak has to end some time so let's make sure that it's against is of up..

Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

We've been a revelation this season and if we can't break the Big Four this time around I'm sure we will next season.

I just hope O'Neill goes out and wisely spends some of the millions Randy Lerner will no doubt give him to strengthen in the summer.

K ELLIS, Sutton Coldfield I AM fed up to the back teeth with Villa fans moaning.

With five games to go let's all get behind the team and see if we can ensure they stay fifth, or even get fourth if Arsenal slip up, which they might.

So come on you lions and roar for the Villa.

G PAINE, via email

AFTER going to Watford on Saturday I have to admit the Blues fans were superb.

We never heard the Watford fans.

If we get a full house on Saturday then I expect the atmosphere to be electric and help us gain what I think will be the win we need for promotion.

On a lighter note, a friend of mine has a parrot and every time he hears the Villa scores on TV he does a somersault if they lose and flies around the living room if they draw.

I asked my friend what the parrot does if they win? He said he doesn't know as he's only had the parrot since February.

Keep right on! ANDY, via email

ALMOST there, we're almost there.

Forget what's happening at Sheffield United, promotion is in our own hands.

We must concentrate on winning our remaining two games and then we are up.

We haven't been great this season, I'll admit, but Eck has nearly got the job done. He came here to get us into the Prem and now we are in touching distance.

We must get right behind the lads in the final two games and roar them to victory.

Every loyal Blues fan must get down to St Andrew's on Saturday and cheer until their lungs ache.

Even if we go a goal down, we must never stop cheering the team on.

We can make a difference. We are as important as the players on the pitch.

Every man, woman and child must play their part to get us to the promised land.

R JONES, Stechford IF I was a Manchester United fan I would be furious with Sir Alex Ferguson for playing a reserve team in the FA Cup semi-final with Everton.

Only last week he was talking about respect, what a pity he didn't show any to the people who pay the club's wages.

As Blues chairman David Gold has already stated, a lot of fans can't afford to follow their clubs, so I wonder if those who travelled all the way to Wembley to watch a reserve team will get their money back? S VAUGHAN, Yardley Wood GetInTouch * Send letters to: Your Shout, Sports Desk, Birmingham Mail, Floor 6, Fort Dunlop, Fort Parkway, Birmingham B24 9FF. Freephone fax: [phone]. Freephone: 0800 138 2555.

Email your.shout@birminghammail.

net. All letters should include name, address, and telephone number..

Alex McLeish is on the verge of taking Blues up..

CAPTION(S):

Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor have helped fire Villa this season.