Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry is happy with their underdog status.

Barry said: "We are halfway now through the season and that is a great sign to be where we are. It puts a bit of pressure on teams below you if you do keep winning.

"We have won back-to-back away games (against Everton and West Ham). The critics can keep saying we are not up there near the top of the table on merit. But, if we can stay there until April, then people will start changing their minds.

"We don't mind not being taken seriously. It takes the pressure off. We will probably keep talking that way ourselves - at least we will in public anyway.

"It is alright starting well and then dropping away but here we are, halfway through a season and that shows the massive effort put in so far.

"We have picked up our form over the last six games and have gone shooting up the table. Hopefully we can keep it going."