FRANNY Benali admits he will not be disappointed if Saints do not qualify for the Europa League.

Saints will qualify for European football for the first time in 12 years if Arsenal, having reached the Champions League, beat Aston Villa in tomorrow’s FA Cup final.

But Saints legend Benali fears the Europa League burden could take its toll.

He said: “I must admit there’s something inside me that’s a little apprehensive about qualifying for the Europa League and the strain on the squad that that would bring.

“That’s my concern. In some ways I’m all or nothing. The Champions League would be a massive step and a huge ask, but I would be more than delighted just to focus on another push for the top four next season.

“If we have to play in the Europa League next year so be it, we’ll take that head on and enjoy the challenge.

“But I just wonder how well equipped we would be for it, with qualifying rounds being played in late July and early August.

“The squad is strong for domestic competition but we’re faced with losing one or two players if the speculation is correct.

“It will be interesting to see how much the squad is strengthened. I’m sure there are plans for both outcomes and that the wheels will be set in motion once we know whether we’re playing in Europe.

“But I won’t be heartbroken if Villa win. Finishing seventh is an incredible achievement whatever happens on Saturday.”

Everton finished 11th - their lowest Premier League position for eight years – after playing ten Europa League matches in reaching this season’s last 16.

The Europa League burden was also a factor in Wigan Athletic’s relegation from the Premier League last year.

So Benali is unlikely to be the only Saints fan who will not mind Villa winning the FA Cup for the first time since 1957.

“Arsenal are favourites but it’s not clear cut, the cup final is a one-off,” said Benali, who has an FA Cup runners-up medal after featuring in Saints’ run to the 2003 final.

Arsenal have won two FA Cup finals since then, including last year’s classic against Hull City, and will go one better than Manchester United if they win a record 12th tomorrow.

Benali fully expects a better Villa display than that which resulted in a 6-1 defeat at St Mary’s two weeks ago.

“I can’t see a performance like that coming from them in a showpiece final,” he said.