Martin O'Neill has urged his Aston Villa players not to let their season "disintegrate" in their remaining games.

Villa have gone eight games without a win in all competitions and were hammered 5-0 by Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

They are now three points adrift of Arsenal after holding a six-point advantage over Arsene Wenger's side at the start of March.

O'Neill said: "We've got to get back on track again. Winning football games in the Premier League is exceptionally hard. We were doing that fine until about four or five weeks ago.

"It's been a really fine effort by the team this season to be up there but we can't just go and disintegrate.

"We've got to start winning some games again and, once we win, we can get confidence restored again."

O'Neill believes the current poor run is all part of the learning curve for his players, many of whom are experiencing challenging for a top-four position for the first time.

He said: "They have to experience this. This is what it's about if you are going to go and play at the very top.

"You play and you want to be there, and you want to be there not just for one week of the year, but on a regular basis.

"I think players can learn from the way other teams play, but you've got to go and compete."

Goalkeeper Brad Guzan is confident Villa can get their season back on track when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford on April 5.

Guzan is set to make his league debut unless Brad Friedel's red card at Anfield is rescinded.

He said: "United are a great team with great players but I don't think there is any reason why we cannot go there and find a way to get a result.

"We have shown a number of times throughout this year that we are capable of playing good teams and getting good results.

"This season is far from over. We have to make sure we get our mentality right and look to put together a 90-minute performance.

"All the games from here on in are big games with the race and points so close. There is no reason why we cannot start a little bit of a run against Manchester United.

"If we can do that we should be able to get something from the game."

Defender Wilfred Bouma could come into contention to face the Red Devils after completing a second full appearance for the reserves against Stoke.

The Dutch international has been sidelined for eight months with a dislocated ankle.