MARC Albrighton is confident Villa will not get dragged into a relegation battle – but admits they need to win their next two games to ease any fears.

Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Premier League title-chasers Manchester City at Villa Park has left the claret and blues seven points above the bottom three.

But Albrighton insists Villa are confident of climbing the table and are targeting maximum points from back-to-back trips to Wigan and Blackburn.

Alex McLeish and his players have a two-week break to regroup before taking on Roberto Martinez’s Latics at the DW Arena on Saturday, February 25.

Asked if Villa were nervously looking over their shoulders at the drop zone, Albrighton replied: “No, we’re staying positive.

“We’ve two games now against Blackburn and Wigan where we know we are good enough to beat those teams.

“So we’re aiming for six points now, nothing less, that will lift us back up the table.”

Albrighton understands the fans’ frustration after Villa’s unwanted record of their longest Premier League run of home games – seven – without a win.

But he insists the players still like playing at Villa Park and there is not a psychological barrier inhibiting their performances.