Ronald Koeman has warned the chase for European football will be all but over if Saints fail to beat Aston Villa next weekend.

The Saints boss cut a frustrated figure as his side spurned a host of opportunities to beat Everton at Goodison Park, instead having to settle for a point in a 1-1 draw.

Though that often would not be seen as a poor result, in the context of the game it was less than Saints should have got, and it meant a great chance of taking another step towards finishing sixth was missed.

Before the back-to-back away games against Everton and Villa, Koeman reckoned that Saints needed a minimum of four points.

With just one collected in the first of the double header he has made it clear that anything less than victory at bottom of the table Villa will virtually end Saints’ chances of European football for next season.

He said: “I think in the away games today and the next one against Aston Villa we need at least four points, maybe six points. It can now only be four points.

“It’s crucial next week and if not then we play the last three to finish the season.

“Of course we like to win then for the fans but not really fighting for something like European football.”

The result at Goodison Park was all the more frustrating with Everton clearly being significantly understrength.

A string of injuries ahead of huge games against Liverpool in a Merseyside derby followed by the FA Cup semi-final, meant they took no risks with their squad.

The likes of Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley were left on the bench while other regulars such as Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines were not in the squad at all.

Koeman admitted it was tough to take, but that sometimes those with a lot to prove can be the hardest opposition.

“That’s not always what happens,” he said of facing an understrength Everton.

“Normally if young players or players who don’t play often get a chance they put so much in the game.

“Of course if you don’t start with Barkley, if you don’t start with Lukaku, they are really top quality players and dropped quality in your team. That’s normal.

“They have injuries, they have a tough schedule coming up now and it’s a big opportunity that we lost to win the game.”