Lifelong fan Knight can recall full-back Phil King scoring the decisive penalty in a shoot-out win against mighty Inter Milan in the mid-1990s after the sides had finished level on aggregate.

Now he is hoping Villa can snatch a last day of the season place in Europe by winning at West Ham - while Everton lose at home to Newcastle.

And he believes Martin O'Neill's side deserve a crack on the continental stage after being in the top six of the Premier League for the majority of the season.

The former Fulham defender said: "I used to stand on the terraces and I remember beating Inter Milan down at Villa Park on penalties.

"Phil King got the vital penalty and he was a hero for a long time after that. It was massive to knock out Milan, who were one of the biggest clubs around.

"I remember at the final whistle running on the pitch when we won but don't tell the chairman that! I would have got banned if I did that today.

"I dreamed of playing in games like that especially for Aston Villa. I've always wanted to play for Aston Villa and to achieve the dream is a great feeling. To do it Europe would be something special."

Knight believes Villa should count themselves unfortunate if they fail to clinch an automatic European spot.

He said: "We've managed to take it down to the wire and I think we deserve to be in Europe. In many seasons, sixth place can can you in there automatically.

"We've been up there all season in the top six or seven of the Premier League and to let it go at the very last minute would be very disappointing.

"We just have to go about our job in the right way and hope events elsewhere end up in our favour.

"It looked all over after we had a few poor results in March but we have managed to turn it around although we had a bit of a blip (against Wigan).

"We need to go to West Ham and get a clean sheet because we think can score at the other end with the firepower we have at our disposal."

Knight joined Villa from Fulham in late August and by his own admission has had an up and down first season with the midlands club.

He said: "I had a really good start and to score on my debut against Chelsea - and at home - was fantastic.

"But then I picked up a suspension in the return against Chelsea, was out for a while which was frustrating and disappointing, but Curtis Davies did well and took his chance until he got injured.

"I came back in and had one or two below-par games. But overall in the last few games I think I've done well."