Former Aston Villa defender Steve Staunton believes that the Midlands outfit could drop into the Championship if they fail to win their next two Premier League fixtures.

Paul Lambert's side, who succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of English champions Manchester City last night, go up against fellow struggling clubs Reading and Queens Park Rangers in the next fortnight.

"I think they are must-wins for Villa," Staunton told talkSPORT. "If you look at the whole scheme of things, Villa need a couple of wins in them games.

"It would keep their opponents down there and give them a little bit of breathing space.

"It would then give them the confidence to go on and finish the season on a high. On the other side of things, if they were to lose both games then I fear for them."

Villa are currently third from bottom in the league table.