Villa defender James Collins has admitted the team are under pressure to quickly rediscover their Premier League winning habit.

Having been held to a goalless draw by Arsenal in midweek, the claret and blues head to Fulham tomorrow without a win or a goal in their last four league games – a run which has seen them slide from fourth to seventh.

With fourth-placed Tottenham still just four points adrift, Collins insists it isn’t time to hit the panic button yet – but he concedes results must improve quickly.

“We have aspirations to finish in the top four,” said Collins. We’ve drawn a few games recently that maybe looking back we should have won.

“These next few weeks we really need to start winning games. We’re creating the chances but don’t seem to be getting the luck in front of goal at the moment. The boys have been doing very well up front, we just can’t stick it in the net but it will come.

“We have top international players up. We just need one goal to scrape in to get the ball rolling again.”

Roy Hodgson’s side have lost just two of their 10 league home games so far this season, however, and Collins knows Villa are in for a tough test.

He added: “They’re solid and well organised. Is it as difficult a place to go as the Emirates or Old Trafford? Yes it is, especially this season and last as their home record has been superb. We’ll have to be on top form.”

Meanwhile, Collins has joined boss Martin O’Neill in slamming Arsene Wenger’s jibe that Villa are a “long-ball team”.

“They were ridiculous comments. I don’t think he has any right saying that about teams. It’s the same on the pitch, you sort of get the impression playing against them that you can’t tackle them.

“The comments he has made are so stupid it’s unbelievable.

“If we played long balls we wouldn’t be in the position we’re in. I have never been in a team where we’ve played better football. It’s one of the most bizarre comments I’ve ever heard.

“He’s got a bit of a reputation for coming out with odd comments so you just have to take it with a pinch of salt.”