Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has urged his side to enjoy the challenge of finishing fourth rather then buckle under the pressure.
Villa have not won in six games in all competitions and have taken advantage of a free weekend to enjoy a few days' warm weather training in Dubai.
The club missed the opportunity to stretch their lead over fifth-placed Arsenal back to six points after they lost away at Manchester City on Wednesday.
Despite their poor form O'Neill is confident his side will embrace the challenge from the Gunners for the final UEFA Champions League place rather than fall at the final hurdle.
"I accept we might be a bit naive and that the top-four sides, who are there consistently every single year, have a bit more know-how," he said.
"But that should not stop us from relishing the challenge ahead. I think there is a genuine excitement among the players.
"They have not been in this position before. We want to try to press on. We have a really difficult run-in but we are down to a 10-game season.
"This is a position Aston Villa have never been in and it is something they should really go at.
"I don't know how much of this 10-game season will be played in the mind. I would rather get out onto the field and win some matches, which we have failed to do recently."
The former Leicester and Celtic boss is hoping that a short break with no distractions is just what his team need in a bid to regain their form once they return.
"We are going away to Dubai for a few days," he confirmed.
"It is a chance for the boys who have played a lot of games to rest up and I accept that.
"It is a chance for the other boys to do a bit of tactical work which is important.
"I am looking forward to the little break and the players are. We can then get ourselves built for the last charge. Let's go for it."
But in order to finish the season on a high O'Neill has stressed the need to cut out dropping cheap points, especially at home.
"We had two games at home, to Wigan and Stoke, which we should have won in a canter," he insists.
"We had about nine shots cleared off the line against Wigan and we let in two late goals against Stoke.
"You can draw your own conclusion you want from that. They are tough matches coming up. But if that doesn't excite you, you really should not be playing.
"We are in this position now. Over the course of the season we deserve to be in this position.
"I think it would be a shame for us to throw it up without a fight. But we won't to that.
"The whole idea is that you have to recover from adversity quickly. That is something we have done and something we have shown this season.
"We are capable of doing it and I think we will challenge right to the end."
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