'You play to win it' - Tielemans on chance to reach Europa League semis

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Midfielder Youri Tielemans believes Aston Villa have momentum as they bid for success in the Europa League and to qualify for next season's Champions League in the closing weeks of the season.

Villa take a 3-1 lead into Thursday's quarter-final second leg against Bologna at Villa Park and are fourth in the Premier League - seven points above Chelsea in sixth.

"I think we can feel we're in a good moment," Tielemans said in his pre-match news conference.

"We've got some momentum with playing for the highest places in the Premier League and the quarter-final in the Europa League.

"But we're aware of where we are. We know our qualities and we deserve to be there because we work hard for it. We've got some really good results over the last few months. It's just a good time for us and we want to keep it until the end of the season.

"You play to win it. That's my mentality and also the mentality for many players in the squad.

"When you get there, you have to make sure you play the game as good as you can play and not think about the end moment because that's where you can get carried away sometimes. We need to keep playing like we do and hopefully win those games.

"We're firing, we are all fit and hopefully we can all stay fit. I'm sure if we are then our mentality in our heads is moving in the right direction, which is positive for us."