Aston Villa boss Dean Smith says he's loving the relegation battle.

Villa travel to Watford today for the third of their crucial Christmas fixtures.

Smith said: "I, perversely, quite enjoy it. I'd rather be fourth in the league and have that pressure but, being third bottom, let's go and prove people wrong because there are enough doubters around.

"You only have to turn on the TV and the Premier League table is thrown at you, so you can't keep away from it.

"I said to the players before the Norwich game, we've put a bit of added pressure on ourselves with the losing run but these lads thrive under pressure.

"I just look at the next game. A lot was made about three games on the spin against teams were below us - Southampton, Norwich and now Watford, but everything you get in this league you have to earn.

"So they will be tough to beat. But we want to become tough to beat ourselves."