Fourth place is still on says Aston Villa's Curtis Davies

Apr 3 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

CURTIS Davies says Villa must not give up on their quest for fourth place, despite their worrying slump in form.

Martin O’Neill’s side are without a win in eight and could be six points behind Arsenal by tomorrow evening.

But the centre-back, who is by no means certain of his place at Old Trafford on Sunday with Zat Knight looking for a recall, said: “We have to be positive.

“We certainly can’t feel too sorry for ourselves after the defeat at Anfield.

“We just have to pick ourselves up for another big game.

“We have to stay positive about our top-four chances too. If we don’t we might as well give up now. We have had a bad March, but we have to stay mentally strong and pick up as many wins as possible.

‘‘We can’t worry what Arsenal or Everton are doing.”

Davies says Manchester United’s back-to-back league defeats will only serve to fire the champions.

Villa have taken just four points from a possible 48 in Premier League clashes at Old Trafford, where they have not won in 26 years.