Premiership: Taylor looking for more on the road

Aston Villa’s form outside Birmingham has virtually ended their interest in a UEFA Cup spot but boss Graham Taylor insists that is no excuse to put on the brakes.

Villa have won just once away from Villa Park in the Premiership in six months.

And ahead of his side’s visit to struggling Ipswich, Taylor said: ‘‘In the games so far, I have been pleased with the home performances against Chelsea and West Ham and the second 45 minutes against Arsenal.

‘‘But I’ve not been so pleased with the two away ones. It is something we have got to address. Our away form is not something we can be proud of.’’

Taylor must decide whether to give a place in the starting line-up to Dion Dublin, who scored and caused problems against Arsenal.

Darius Vassell is expected to be fit but Juan Pablo Angel has a late test after missing the Gunners defeat with a badly bruised toe.

Ipswich boss George Burley insists his side are struggling this season with the burden of over-expectation.

‘‘It’s a difficult challenge for the club this season compared to the last couple,’’ he said.

‘‘We almost did too well with our achievements. But everyone remains confident that on our day we can beat anybody, especially at Portman Road.’’

Ipswich are in better spirits after the point at Newcastle ended a run of four defeats.

Burley hopes to name a similar side but Sixto Peralta and Jermaine Wright both face late tests.

Jim Magilton and Tommy Miller offer options in the centre of midfield while wide men Finidi George and Martijn Reuser, who scored one and set up two other goals in the reserves’ 4-1 win over Coventry in midweek, are hoping for recalls.

Leicester skipper Matt Elliott is urging his Foxes side not to go down without a fight starting tomorrow against Leeds at Filbert Street.

Elliott admitted: ‘‘The players have not performed to their capabilities and I would include everyone in that. We have not played as well as we can.

‘‘It is that much harder to play in a team which is struggling. You would hope that there would have been one or two shining lights, but there hasn’t been.’’

And Elliott virtually admitted the Foxes’ cause was a hopeless one.

‘‘Real Madrid would struggle to achieve the results we need but we can’t be seen to be conceding that everyone might see as the inevitable.’’

Rio Ferdinand is looking for Leeds to continue their recent revival, as well as make amends for the last time they played the Foxes.

After hammering Leicester 6-0 in the Worthington Cup at Filbert Street earlier in the season, Leeds looked on course for another comfortable win in the league game at Elland Road in December.

But after opening up a 2-0 lead they failed to finish off City as they conceded two late goals to give the visitors an undeserved point.

Now Leeds skipper Ferdinand has revenge on his mind as he said: ‘‘It will be a tough game, but we went there earlier in the season and we did a good job on them.

‘‘When they came to Elland Road we let three points slip, so it’s time to go there and put it right.

‘‘We’ve picked ourselves up in the last two games, so hopefully we can continue with our form, kick on and race down the home straight.’’