Stewart Downing today vowed Villa’s underdogs can “sneak in the back door” and pinch a Champions League place.

Despite being level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham, Martin O’Neill’s side head to Manchester City for Saturday’s do-or-die showdown still viewed as outsiders to clinch the final Champions League spot.

Villa, who separate Spurs and City in fifth, have played a game more than the pair but three wins in eight days have propelled them back into the mix almost unnoticed.

And Downing says the claret and blues are quite happy for their rivals to hog the limelight while they creep up the table.

“I think it suits us because we’ll just carry on winning games and picking up points and try to sneak in through the back door,” he said.

“It will be a big game against Manchester City. It’s two good teams and I’m sure it will be a good game. Hopefully we’ll get the points we need.

“The way everyone is talking they’re expecting Tottenham or Man City to get fourth place and not us.

“That’s good because we can just carry on winning games and play on the counter-attack when we’re away from home. It’s going to be a massive game.”

And Downing believes the way Villa have fought back to claim 13 points from their last five games after being written off following their 7-1 humbling by Chelsea is testament to the players.

“It’s a sign of the strong character in the team,” he said. “We had to bounce back because the season would have crumbled from then on.

“The manager won’t allow it and the players won’t allow it. It’s shown what a good team we are because we’ve bounced back well.”

Villa’s situation could be even better.

While only leaders Chelsea have lost less than sixth-placed Villa in the Premier League this season, the claret and blues have drawn the most games (13) along with Stoke.

They have won just eight of their 18 league home games – only Birmingham have won less outside the top 12 – but Downing insists all of their rivals will be rueing missed opportunities.

“A few of the draws we could have maybe turned into wins but I’m sure Manchester City and Spurs will say the same.

“We started off the season slowly. Wigan at home, no disrespect to them, but you’ve got to be beating teams like that at home. Then again we probably did it the hard way and went to Manchester United and won.

“It evens itself out in the end and the important thing is we’re still in that mix. We’ve left ourselves with a hell of a chance, we just have to win those games.”