Birmingham Mail: Brad Guzan is hoping the bad times are finally in the past as an eagerly-anticipated week of football looms. Excitement is already building ahead of the forthcoming cup competitions and Guzan believes Villa will be buoyed by their encouraging draw at Swansea. On Saturday Villa host Ipswich Town in the FA Cup before travelling to Valley Parade for the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final with Bradford City. And Guzan reckons the rot-stopping draw in Wales has given the claret and blues renewed optimism just in time for their cup adventures.

The Sun: Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan is backing his young team-mates to win their relegation battle. Villa's rookies shipped 15 goals without reply against Chelsea, Tottenham and Wigan and are just above the trap door. But their New Year's Day draw at Swansea proved the fighting spirit is still alive at Villa Park.

Birmingham Mail: Paul Lambert is waiting to discover the extent of Ashley Westwood's ankle injury as yet another key player is added to Aston Villa's growing troubles. The influential midfielder limped out of the draw with Swansea on Tuesday and was assessed at the club's medical department on Wednesday.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Paul Lambert believes Aston Villa's stature as a "huge club" means he will have no problems attracting new players during the January transfer window.

Goal.com: Manager Paul Lambert has reiterated the confidence he has in his Aston Villa side, despite a return of just one point from a possible twelve has seen them teetering just above the Premier League relegation zone.

Best of the Rest

BBC Sport: QPR boss Harry Redknapp says his side's win over Chelsea showed they have what it takes to stay in the Premier League.

Sky Sports: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has told new signing Daniel Sturridge his £12million move to Anfield represents his last chance to succeed at a big club.

BBC Sport: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says modern management is so precarious it is "impossible" to predict who could replace him at Old Trafford.

BBC Sport: Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole is set to join former club West Ham United on a permanent deal.

*The extracts on this page are taken from various newspapers and media outlets. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Aston Villa.