Curtis Davies up for the rough and tumble of Villa's FA Cup test

Jan 3 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

CURTIS Davies is confident his experiences in the lower leagues will stand him in good stead for tomorrow’s FA Cup trip to Gillingham.

Davies burst on to the scene as a youngster at Luton Town and is no stranger to the muck and nettles of football outside the Premier League.

And he hopes the two seasons he spent with the Hatters in League One will be the ideal preparation for Villa’s third round cup tie.

Martin O’Neill’s Premier League side are favourites to progress against Mark Stimson’s League Two minnows at the Priestfield Stadium.

“I’m not sure cultured ball-playing is in my locker so I don’t mind the physical battle and I need to be winning a few more headers than I have done,” said Davies.

“But it’s getting back to what I used to play against in League One.

“It used to be one big man, one fast man so I’m used to having to go up for headers and having to chase back.

“Since I’ve been away from Luton, it’s been a bit different. When you’re down there in the lower divisions, if nothing’s on, it goes long.