With just seven Barclays Premier League matches left to play, the race for Champions League & Europa League football is hotting up.

Fifth-placed Arsenal sit two points behind Chelsea, who themselves are two points from third-placed Tottenham Hotspur. Whilst the title race is all but over, the battle to avoid relegation is another major talking point ahead of the season run-in, with the bottom seven sides all in danger of playing football in the Championship next season.

In order for the teams to survive the threat of relegation, to play in Europe's elite competition and ultimately to win the Premier League, they rely on their key players to produce moments of magic in order to get the three points which are craved by managers at both ends of the table.

My top 20 players of the season are as follows, but do you agree? Put forward your nominees in the comments box below.

20. David de Gea | Manchester United

United's Spanish stopper may not get the credit he deserves due to past blunders, as he has recently established himself as one of the league's top goalkeepers. De Gea currently has 9 clean sheets from 21 appearences in the Premier League this season.

19. Yaya Toure | Manchester City

The Manchester City monster may not be having as good a season as he did last year, but Toure has still been in good enough form to run the show for City. The Ivory Coast midfielder destroyed Chelsea recently, and has scored 4 goals in 25 appearances.

18. Steven Gerrard | Liverpool

It may be difficult being a Liverpool player at this time, following the club's poor last few seasons and Luis Suarez taking all the headlines, but Anfield legend and current captain Gerrard is still the most-loved player. The England midfielder has played every second of the season so far, scoring 10 goals.

17. Frank Lampard | Chelsea

Whatever the situation about his new deal, Lampard has had yet another top-class season in the blue of Chelsea. Since the 2003/04 season, Lampard has scored over 10 goals a season, and this year is no different. Despite the brilliance of Juan Mata and Eden Hazard, the Blues' number eight has smashed in 12 goals in 21 appearances, and is closing in on the record of being Chelsea's highest goalscorer ever.

16. Wayne Rooney | Manchester United

After an indifferent start to the season, Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is finally back to his deadly best, scoring 12 goals in 21 appearances. Having missing numerous games following injury, Rooney has timed his form to perfection, as fellow United forward Robin van Persie has struggled for recent form.

15. Rickie Lambert | Southampton

Southampton's goal machine, 31, has won golden boot awards in League 1 and the Championship, and has continued his goalscoring form in the Premier League. The Southampton striker has scored 14 goals this season, including a long-range free kick against Chelsea.

14. Leighton Baines | Everton

Following impressive international displays for England, Baines has been one of the key players to have propelled Everton to fight for a place in the Champions League. Baines, 28, has scored five goals this season, including an incredible free-kick against Newcastle United.

13. Dimitar Berbatov | Fulham

Fulham's Bulgarian star is back to his elegant best after joining for £4 million. Dubbed "the best walking footballer", Berbatov has scored 11 goals in 24 appearances this season, including an incredible volley against Stoke City.

12. Rafael da Silva | Manchester United

Manchester United's 22-year-old right-back is their answer to Barcelona's Dani Alves. The future Brazil full-back seems more like a winger than a defender at times, scoring three goals this season, including a curling effort at Anfield and, more recently, a screamer against QPR.

11. Jan Vertonghen | Tottenham Hotspur

Completing the Belgian invasion of this list, the Spurs defender has been a revelation at White Hart Lane, not only producing top defensive displays, but also attacking contributions too. Vertonghen has scored five goals this season, including a double at Anfield, as well as a solo-goal at Old Trafford.

10. Eden Hazard | Chelsea

Mata's partner in crime, Belgian winger Hazard has had an exciting debut season in the Premier League. In 27 appearances, he has scored eight goals, as well as combining with Oscar and Mata to assist eight for his teammates. The former Lille forward has become one of Chelsea's key men, scoring recently against West Ham.

9. Marouane Fellaini | Everton

Fellaini is Everton's record signing of £15 million in 2008, and it's easy to see why. David Moyes has pushed the Belgian into a more attacking role, and he's scored 11 goals in the league so far, including the only goal as Everton beat United on the opening weekend of the season.

8. Christian Benteke | Aston Villa

I have acknowledged the fact that many fans will be wondering as to why Benteke is so high on this list, but it is simple - he has contributed to over half of Aston Villa's goals this season. Put simply, without the Belgian powerhouse, the Villains would be relegated by now. Benteke has scored 14 league goals this season (his debut year), and is catching the eye of bigger clubs, including the likes of Manchester City and Inter Milan.

7. Michael Carrick | Manchester United

Former Tottenham midfielder Carrick has been ever-present in Manchester United's team since he moved from Spurs in 2006 for £18 million. The Englishman is perhaps the most-underrated player in the Premier League, as he is one of United's most consistent performers and one of the reasons why they are so far atop the table.Continue the list on http:///bGccw

my own #6-1

6. Gareth bale

5. Miguel Michu

4. Santi Carzola

3. Juan Mata

2. Robin Van Persie

1. Luis Suarez

What of Suarez,van persie,,oscar