Defender Curtis Davies is confident Villa’s goal-shy attack can rediscover their predatory instincts against Stoke.

Gabby Agbonlahor has netted just once in the last 12 games, Emile Heskey has not found the target since his debut strike at Portsmouth, while John Carew still looks some way short of full fitness – despite having netted twice since returning from injury.

Villa have scored only twice in their last four games – against CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Cup first leg and against Everton in the FA Cup – but have drewing blanks in their last two games, the return leg in Russia and against Chelsea last weekend.

Davies  is confident the goals will soon start flowing again.

He said: “I wouldn’t say goals are a concern. I’m not sure how many teams score against a strong Chelsea team.

“We’re creating the chances, it’s just a case of taking them. Our strikers will come good because they’re top quality. They’re putting more in than they put wide.”

The team’s goal drought has coincided with their longest run without a win all season, but Davies insists O’Neill’s side have the character to crack the Potters.]

Villa were leapfrogged by Chelsea last weekend to fall to fourth in the table but remain six points clear of nearest-placed Arsenal, in the race for the Champions League.

Davies said: “If you’re in the winning habit it just comes naturally. We’re strong enough to believe in ourselves and hopefully it will look up for us.

“There’s just one objective for us this season now – finishing in that top four. It’s going to be tough along the way but we have a good bit of leeway at the moment.

“Does it put us under more pressure? Not really, because we have high expectations anyway.”

What needs to improve, according to Davies, is the claret and blues’ home record, which reads just five league victories out of 13 this term.

He has urged them to start with success, against a Stoke side who are the worst travellers in the top-flight this season.

He said: “Being the team that has done so well so far this season, we really need to up our home form. Our away form has been brilliant.

“Our home form needs to reach that. Of course Stoke’s going to be a tough game physically, especially with their long throws, but you just have to deal with it.

“They usually have two big lads up front but we can only play whatever team is put in front of us and hopefully we can get the three points.

“But we can’t rest on our laurels. There are still 12 games left and if Arsenal win two games more than us then they’re back in the driving seat, so we can’t let up.”

O’Neill will recall all of his stars, who were rested for the midweek defeat by CSKA and is likely to revert to the team edged out by Chelsea last weekend.

Nigel Reo-Coker has returned to training and is in contention, John Carew (back) is available after being left out in Moscow as a precaution while Heskey (Achilles) and Carlos Cuellar (hamstring) are both good to go following this week’s rest.