Coldplay said the band were 'delighted' to be shortlisted.

The two acts will go head to head for the music channel's awards, to be held in Lisbon, Portugal in November.

UK singer-songwriter James Blunt has three nominations, along with Irish rock veterans U2.

Last year, despite being voted for exclusively by European MTV viewers, American stars went home with almost all the awards.

This year, Gwen Stefani is the leading US star on the shortlist.

Gwen Stefani is the leading US nominee

She has four nominations for best female, best pop act, best album for Love, Angel, Music, Baby, and best video for What You Waiting For?

'Support'

Coldplay are in the running for the for best group, best rock act, best song for Speed Of Sound, best album for X&Y, and best UK and Ireland act.

Gorillaz - the cartoon band created by Blur's Damon Albarn - are up for best group, best song, best video for Feel Good Inc, best pop act, and best UK and Ireland act.

Four artists, including James Blunt and U2, have three nominations apiece for the awards, which will be hosted by Ali G creator Sacha Baron Cohen playing his Kazakhstani alter ego Borat Sagdiyev.

Coldplay said in a statement: "We're delighted to be nominated for five categories in this year's MTV Europe Music Awards. Our European fans have given us incredible support over the years."

Website vote

Fans across Europe and Africa can choose the winners via MTV's websites with the exception of the best video category, which is selected by MTV Europe itself.

OutKast picked up three awards at the 2004 awards

U2 are up for best group, best rock act, and best album for How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.

Hip-hop artist 50 Cent has nominations for best male, best hip-hop act and best album for The Massacre and US rockers Green Day earn nominations in the best group, best rock and best album for their chart-topping latest album American Idiot.

For the first time, the awards will include a category for best African act, with 2 Face, Kaysha, Kleptomaniax, 02 and Zamajobe in the running.

The ceremony, to be held at the Portugese capital's Atlantic Pavilion on 3 November, will include performances by Coldplay, Robbie Williams, Coldplay, the Foo Fighters, Green Day and the Black Eyed Peas.