Villa winger Stewart Downing has warned Arsenal and Liverpool that his club are determined to continue their stranglehold over the big four and insists – “We fear no one.”

The festive fixture computer has lined up two of Martin O’Neill’s men’s biggest rivals for a Champions League spot during the Christmas period with a trip to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, before Rafael Benitez’s struggling side visit Villa Park a week tonight.

Downing reckons fourth-placed Villa, who made it four straight Premier League wins with victory over Stoke on Saturday, fancy their chances against anyone having already beaten Liverpool at Anfield as well as Chelsea and Manchester United this term.

He said: “We’ve got two big games now and we need to carry on,” he said. “It is two big tests but the confidence is flying at the moment with the way the team is playing.

“The team have proved they can do well against the big teams. We don’t fear anyone we play at the moment. Those teams will be aware we have punished the top teams.

“It will be tough but we will try to win. We won’t sit back and I think the manager likes us to get forward and get goals.”

The December 27 clash with the Gunners will come just a day later than last year’s Boxing Day battle between the sides – when Zat Knight pinched a home point for Villa with a last-gasp strike.

Again it is certain to be a key clash in the top-four chase with the third-placed Gunners currently ahead of Villa by virtue of goal difference.

But Downing reckons Villa would be foolish to get carried away with their lofty position after spending last Christmas in third only to slip to sixth.

He said: “The most important thing for us is Villa got to this sort of position last season and then faded a little bit.

“We take each game as it comes. We know United, Arsenal, Chelsea are going to be in and around there so, if you can stay in that pack, then you’ve got a hell of a chance. We are beating teams in and around us so that it is a big plus as well.”

But Downing, who has been a revelation since his return from a long-term injury, believes Villa can last the distance this year because they have a far stronger squad than 12 months ago.

He said: “James Collins has been one of our best players and he can’t get in the team at the moment – that tells you something. Richard Dunne has been outstanding since he came here, every game. I thought he was brilliant again on Saturday, the same with Carlos Cuellar.

“Everyone is mucking in and doing their bit. I think it is paying off a little bit. It is a headache for the manager at times but I am sure it is one that he likes.

“It probably helps at the moment that we are winning and so the team is settled, but there is a good squad and whoever is needed will do a job.”