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Stewart Downing fancies beating Arsenal and Liverpool
STEWART Downing says he is not afraid of Aston Villa’s big Christmas double header against Arsenal and Liverpool.
Villa, unbeaten in seven league games, are at the Emirates the day after Boxing Day and then home to Liverpool 48 hours later.
It is a daunting double and one that could decide whether Villa are capable of qualifying for the Champions League.
Twice in the past two seasons, Villa have faded away after good starts and it cost them a place in the Champions League last season.
But Downing, a £12million signing from Middlesbrough, has helped give a new vigour to Villa with his return from injury.
He said: “We have set up ourselves nicely for these two games. Our confidence is flying.
“The manager is over the moon with the way the team is playing and it will be a big test for us.
“We are playing well and we’re not fearing anyone at the minute. Both Arsenal and Liverpool will be well aware we’ve punished some of the top teams already.
“We’ll try to win at Arsenal. We won’t sit back. The boss does like us to get forward and get goals.
“It’s a really open title race and Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are going to be in or around there, so if we can stay in that pack then we’ve got a hell of a chance.
“We’ve already beaten teams in and around us, which is a big plus.”