Premiership: Joachim backs Villa to climb table

Julian Joachim believes Aston Villa can make a late dash up the Premiership table.

Inside two weeks the club have switched from worrying about a possible relegation battle to talking up a place in Europe.

Joachim almost single-handedly took Villa to their first home win since November with a two-goal flourish to beat Ipswich 2-1.

He said: "The last few seasons we've been up there among the top teams and done very well really.

"We've finished sixth twice, got to one semi-final and the FA Cup final.

"We've got some very good players at the club who are definitely capable of achieving big things but it has not really happened for us.

"Now we're facing an important challenge of winning as many games as we can between now and the end of the season.

"We have shown over the last few seasons that when things are going well for us that we are a hard team to beat."

Joachim is still waiting for Villa to approach him with the contract he says he was promised two years ago.

"I will wait until the summer before I start talking about my transfer request again," he said. "I want to see if I get a good run in the first team."

Joachim's goals came in the second half after Ipswich had opened the scoring through Alun Armstrong.

"I am pleased for the little fellow," said Villa's assistant manager Steve Harrison. "He kept his nerve for both goals.

"I can't really comment on his situation. I only deal with the bibs and cones.

"What I can say is that he has worked hard on one-to-ones this month. He is happy in training and light in his step."

Joachim's goals propelled Villa into 12th place above Tottenham and West Ham.