Ronald Koeman has called on Saints not to give up hope of qualifying for Europe – but admits they will probably need to win all of their remaining games to do it.

Koeman believes that Saints may yet be able to fight their way into a Europa League position, even if it looks an increasingly tougher ask after the 1-1 draw with Everton was followed up by a host of rivals all winning in midweek.

There is certainly little margin for error now, with Koeman anticipating it will require a perfect run in the four remaining fixtures, starting away to bottom of the table Aston Villa tomorrow, for Saints to stand a chance.

He said: “It’s always possible but of course we know it’s very difficult, because it’s really a gap of five or six points and Liverpool and West Ham and that makes it more difficult.

“Maybe if you win the last four then you get a chance and that’s only why we still concentrate and focus on this Saturday.

“It’s still not the end of the season and I don’t like to finish the season in a bad way.”

Saints certainly won’t have it easy if they are to win their four remaining games.

After facing Villa they take on Manchester City at St Mary’s before a trip to title contenders Tottenham. They end the campaign in more serene fashion against Crystal Palace at home.

Koeman believes Saints’ lack of cutting edge away from home will be the major factor if they don’t quite make the top six, or potentially the top seven, this season.

“There is progress in the team, there is progress with individuals in the team, but still I believe we lost some big opportunities in several games and most away from home,” reflected the Saints boss.

“That’s really the question why there is a gap between the teams above us because we had a fantastic 45 minutes against West Ham, we were only 1-0 up and lost the game and that’s the team now who has five points more than we have.

“Those kind of opportunities we missed, and we were punished.”

He added: “It’s always that everybody has the same ambition, the same feeling, and that’s difficult because there’s always a difference between playing at home and playing away. That’s normal, that’s for everybody,” he explained.

“I think we need productivity. We need to improve in our final part, in attacking wise.

“The final pass is not always a good one and that’s all about that you then don’t create a big opportunity.

“To be more ruthless in the box because against Everton we were the better team, we had the better chances, and finally it’s 1-1.”

Since a poor run between November and the start of January, Saints have only lost three times in 14 Premier League games.

However, Koeman concedes missed chances such as the draw at Everton last week could end up costing them if they can’t win their final four.

“It’s not enough because the teams above us won their games and many points and there is a gap,” he said.

“I already knew that after the draw against Everton because it was a really big opportunity what we missed not to win the game and to stay more close to the teams above us and now it’s really difficult.

“Still we need to believe in finishing the season on a good way and that starts this Saturday.”