REALISTIC Nolberto Solano conceded defeat in Newcastle United's race for the championship last night.

But the 27-year-old insists the Magpies are not about to give up on securing a Champions' League place this season.

Following Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Aston Villa, fourth-placed Newcastle now lie nine points behind Premiership leaders Arsenal.

But Bobby Robson's men are three points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand.

And Solano believes that they must make sure they keep their minds focused on trying to stay in the top four with just six games remaining.

"We have to keep going and treat Tuesday night as a point won," said the Peruvian winger. "This is the first time the club has been challenging for a place in the Champions' League and we're getting closer all the time.

"That's so important to us this season and now it is the only thing left to play for. If we'd picked up three points at Villa then the title would still be in our sights but I think we have to accept it's over now.

"You never know what could happen but I think it would be difficult to catch Arsenal.

"All we can concentrate on is picking up as many points as possible. We have to pick up maximum points from now on if we're to take the Premiership but I can't see that happening. Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United look very strong."

At Villa Park, Robson admitted that Newcastle were fortunate to escape with a draw as Graham Taylor's side pressed for a winner.

And Solano, who provided Kieron Dyer with a great opportunity to snatch a second when he sent over a superb right-wing cross in the dying seconds, suggested that the Newcastle midfield needs to improve for next Monday's visit of Fulham.

The right-midfielder also praised goalkeeper Shay Given, who made some outstanding saves against the Villans to quickly erase memories of the Irishman's blunder against Everton on Good Friday.

Given was beaten by a freak Duncan Ferguson effort during the 6-2 win and Solano said: "Shay has done well all season and he bounced back well after that unlucky goal against Everton.

"But I thought the whole back four looked pretty solid and most of Villa's chances came from long-range efforts.

"Their goal was hard to defend against. It was a great cross and a great finish from Peter Crouch but after that there weren't too many scares in the area.

"As a midfield we needed to get forward more and that's something we have done well this season. I don't know why it didn't come right at Villa but we'll come back."

After the Easter programme Solano admitted that Newcastle felt the strain but he refused to blame the number of games for Newcastle's poor display.

"We felt a bit tired on Tuesday night and we'll benefit from the break until Monday's match with Fulham," he said. "But fatigue is no excuse and when you're playing well you don't notice that.

"We're already starting to think about the Fulham game and by then we'll know where Leeds and Chelsea are. We are in a stronger position than both of those teams are and a win against Fulham would increase the pressure.

"A draw at Aston Villa isn't too bad but we're still a bit disappointed. If we had played a little better, somewhere near the level we managed against Everton, we would have been good enough to beat Villa.

"The pitch and the deteriorating conditions didn't help but there can be no excuses."

Meanwhile, Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer has set his sights on grabbing his 200th Premiership goal at St James' Park on Monday.

Shearer scored number 199 at Villa Park and it has taken him 60 ahead of his nearest challenger, former Newcastle forward Andy Cole, and Shearer said: "I scored a good goal at Villa Park and had another chance to get the 200th.

"But I just wanted to save it for St James' Park, I'm getting there slowly but surely. I'd love to get my 200th there. As a place where I have scored so many of my goals it's special to me."

Crouch's goal against Newcastle was his first in the Premiership in sharp and he said: ''Shearer is a legend in his own right and if I can do half as well as he has in the Premiership, then I won't have done too badly."

* Newcastle have handed defender Andy O'Brien a long-term contract extension which will keep him at St James' Park until 2007.

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