Downing told to hit goal trail

ASTON VILLA winger Stewart Downing has been challenged by manager Martin O'Neill to stay on the goal trail in tonight's FA Cup replay against Crystal Palace.

England international Downing was on target twice in Villa's 5-2 romp against Burnley at Villa Park on Sunday. He had only scored once in his previous 19 games before that brace and had gone 16 matches without a goal.

Now he has ended that drought, O'Neill hopes he can finish the season with a flourish – starting against Palace.

O'Neill said: "His confidence has been boosted with his two goals against Burnley. I think he has been doing very well for us without getting the occasional goal. That is the part of his game which he feels he can improve upon and I think his two goals against Burnley will have lifted him enormously."