Southampton winger Eljero Elia believes the Saints should be rewarded with a European place for their fine campaign this term.

Despite selling a host of their key players, Southampton managed to defy the odds by finishing in seventh position in the Premier League.

However, the seventh-place finish has not yet confirmed Southampton's place in Europe due to the possibility of Aston Villa sneaking into the Europa League if they win the FA Cup final against Arsenal this Saturday.

"Of course (the club deserves European football)," he told the Southampton Daily Echo "The football what we play and on the end how the people, how the teams defend themselves against us.

"It was great for us, but with the result of the games that we play, ok, it was sometimes difficult, but Southampton can be very proud of themselves."