Middlesbrough aren't out of Premier League just yet, says Stewart Downing

Stewart Downing admits Middlesbrough had looked "dead and buried" in their battle to beat relegation battle.

But the England winger is now clinging to the "slim hope" that two wins, starting against Aston Villa at the weekend, could keep Boro up.

He accepts the damaging 3-1 defeat at Newcastle, and underperforming over their previous 35 games, means that Gareth Southgate's men could be on the way to the Championship.

Downing said: "It's really simple now - we just have to win our next two games and rely on what else goes on around us. Newcastle are on 34 points now, but they're not out of reach.

"We're relying on other teams even more now, but if we don't win the next two games we have no chance.

"The players have to lift themselves, it's as simple as that.

"It's no use feeling sorry for ourselves.

"There's still a chance to put things right. We are at home on Saturday, so hopefully the fans will get behind us one last time. We know they'll be disappointed, but we need them to stick with us.

"The fans were brilliant, but they've been brilliant for months now to be fair. Even when we've looked dead and buried, they've stuck behind us at home.

"It's disappointing that we haven't been able to give them enough. It's a slim chance, but a slim chance is better than no chance. "We have to cling to that hope. It's a horrible position to be in.

"It's not just about Monday - it's because of the 36 games so far that we are where we are.

"We haven't done well at the start of the season or the middle of the season either. That's why we're in the position we're in."

To Be Relegated: 1-66 West Brom; 1-5 Boro; 2-5 Newcastle; 5-4 Hull; 9-2 Sunderland.

Freephone: 0800 444040

FREE £25 BET WITH BETFAIR

There's a grand up for grabs on our new soccer 7 game Click Here to play now

Follow every Premier League game live with our brilliant Match Tracker

Win a trip to Australia