Howard holds European hope

The Toffees currently sit four points adrift of a top-seven finish, however the current occupants of seventh spot, Aston Villa, have a game in hand on David Moyes' men.

Everton and Villa meet in the Premier League on Wednesday, and American shot-stopper Howard believes that game will all-but decide where the Merseysiders end the campaign.

Speaking after back-to-back Premier League draws against Wolves and West Ham, Howard told his club's official website: "If we could have got a better result (against West Ham) and at Wolves, the game would have had even more meaning in terms of allowing to have possibly gone above them on points.

"But still, we need to beat them and continue to put pressure on them and if we win, we will go one point below them.

Destiny

"If we keep putting pressure on them and continue to play well, there are still four or five games to go for them to slip up."

Despite dropping points against Wolves and the Hammers, Howard is still confident of finishing the season with a flourish.

As well as the trip to Villa Park, Everton also face Blackburn, Fulham, Stoke and Portsmouth before the season comes to a close.

And Howard believes five wins from five is not an unrealistic goal.

"We're knocking on the door for Europe in eighth place and we know what it's going to take and the points total to get ourselves into Europe - and we're trying our best," he added.

"Because of our last two results, we going to need other results to go our way now - we don't control our own destiny in that respect. It'll be difficult, but we still have our eyes on that."