Villa ace candid on poor form

Villa fall-guy Steven Davis goes into tomorrow's clash with Blackburn admitting: "I've been poor". .Last season's golden boy and Player of the Year found himself out of the team against Liverpool last week when he was replaced by 18-year-old Isaiah Osbourne.

Gavin McCann is expected to return to the starting line-up alongside Stiliyan Petrov tomorrow, increasing the prospects of Davis being on the sidelines.

And he insists he has no complaints if manager Martin O'Neill makes him the odd man out again.

"With the way things went for me last season, I'm not entirely happy with the way things are going at the minute," confessed Davis.

"I think I can do a lot better and that's what I'm looking to do. Hopefully, with every game I'm getting sharper and getting to where I want to be.

"I spoke to the manager and I know myself that I'm not playing as well as I can, so I know there's definitely room for improvement.

"Hopefully, it's coming back and I'll get a goal sooner rather than later.

"Scoring brings a lot of confidence and if I can get one, then hopefully more will come and I can rediscover the form I showed last season."

Davis has been forced to play out of position in both wide midfield slots, which probably hasn't helped his cause.

"Central midfield is my preferred position, but Gavin and Stiliyan have done well," said the 21-year-old.

"I've been playing left midfield or centre midfield, but I'm just happy to be doing a job for the team, really, and stay in the side.

"It's up to the manager and if he puts me on the left, then I'm happy enough to play there. I'll just give 100 per cent wherever I play."

But Davis is relieved that Villa have the chance to extend their unbeaten home run. "Unfortunately, we've drawn the last couple of home games, but hopefully we can put that right against Blackburn," he said.

By Tim Nash