And the England winger believes Villa can approach Saturday's clash at title-chasing Chelsea with confidence in a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup semi-final meeting between the teams two weeks later. Martin O'Neill's side, who were held to a 1-1 home draw by Sunderland on Wednesday night, are the only team with an unbeaten record in the Premier League in 2010. But they have drawn seven of their last 10 league games and won only one of their last seven matches at Villa Park since defeating Stoke in mid-December. Downing is remaining upbeat about Villa's prospects of finishing in the top four even though a series of injuries to key players such as Gabriel Agbonlahor, Richard Dunne, James Milner and Emile Heskey are emerging at a crucial stage. The former Middlesbrough player said: "We had a few people suffering with injuries the other night which took its toll in the end. "We were out on our feet at the end but we've got a big game Saturday so we've got to get ready for that and I think the race for fourth spot is still wide open. "Manchester City lost at home to Everton, who are catching some people up. We've still got to play Everton and there are some good games to play. We've just got to keep picking up points, starting with Saturday. "Whoever puts two or three wins together will be in a good position. There will be no slacking from us. "There are a few teams up and down at the minute. Manchester City were getting results and now they've lost. We were on a great run and we've drew a few. "There are a lot of twists and turns still to go and I think it will go to the wire. We've just got to keep calm and playing the way we are because we will create chances." Downing believes Villa will not be overawed by the trip to Stamford Bridge despite Chelsea's formidable home record. He said: "Stamford Bridge is a hard place to get a win at but we are confident. We beat them at home. It might be a good game for us to win. "We have had some good results against the big teams this season. "It sounds a bit strange but you get a lot more room when you play the top teams because they will attack you and there is space to breathe. "In contrast, the teams that have been coming here the last couple of weeks (Wolves and Sunderland) have been getting men behind the ball. "A game like this should lift us. If you are not going to be on song for those games, you are going to get punished because they are a top team."
