GAIZKA MENDIETA doesn't feel a lowly position in the Premiership means Middlesbrough's hopes of a European place should be written off this season.

The Spaniard believes Boro's emphatic victory in the North-East derby with Sunderland on Tuesday could prove to be the catalyst to the club's season.

Aston Villa's visit to the Riverside Stadium tomorrow represents a chance for Steve McClaren's side to win back-to-back league games for the first time in 14 months.

And Mendieta, well aware that Boro remain closer to the relegation zone than to the top six, wants to see a surge up the Premiership table and a successful run in the FA Cup.

"It would be disappointing to miss out on Europe but we have to wait until the end of the season before we know if we are playing in Europe next season," said Mendieta.

Boro are 12 points shy of sixth-placed Arsenal, but Mendieta said: "I don't close any doors yet. We are still in the FA Cup and in the UEFA Cup. In the league we are not in the best position at the moment but we are not too far away from the top seven.

"If we can win the next game against Aston Villa and the one after that then who knows what might happen? We can't just give up hope on European football.

"We don't think there is any chance that we will be relegated. It's difficult to say where we can finish this season because of where we are."

Now, having heard the supporters give them full backing at the Stadium of Light after their first win in ten league matches, Mendieta wants a vociferous home crowd to spur them on against Villa.

He insists a win would show the Teesside public will see that relegation trouble is something that will not be around for long.

He said: "The fans were really important against Sunderland. We knew they were there throughout the game with their singing and were a great boost."

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, meanwhile, has reassured the Boro faithful that he will be doing everything he can to fire the club back up the table.

Hasselbaink had been widely expected to move to Fulham before closure of the transfer window but has stayed put.

The Dutchman, out of contract in the summer, said: "I can only work hard when I'm playing and try to do the best for the club and the best for myself and my team-mates."