Aston Villa Football Club News

• Nickname:The Villains
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Alex McLeish

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42,584

Downing happy with underdog tag

28 Apr 2010 - 10:04:21

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Winger Stewart Downing is happy that Aston Villa are underdogs in the race for fourth place in the Premier League.

Villa have played themselves back into contention for the final Champions League qualifying spot following last month's 7-1 humbling at the hands of Chelsea.

Three wins and a draw in their last Premier League fixtures have kept them in touch with Tottenham and Manchester City, with Saturday's trip to Eastlands to take on City likely to prove decisive.

"Saturday is a big game," said Downing. "With the way everyone has been going on, they're expecting Tottenham or Man City to get that fourth place and nobody has said anything about us.

"I think it suits us being regarded as underdogs because we'll just carry on winning games and picking up points and trying to creep in through that back door.

"Manchester City have obviously spent a lot of money on big players and it's been the same with Tottenham. They've had a good go as well for fourth place.

"But we've a good team and we've played consistently well. We've had a good season, got to a cup final and cup semi-final, but we'd like to finish if off by getting that fourth spot.

"Now we've got two big games left and we have to try and finish the job off."