STEWART DOWNING would love everyone connected with Middlesbrough to draw on the Spirit of Steaua to help secure a Wembley place over the next ten days in the Championship play-offs.

Downing has never been involved in the play-offs before, having spent the majority of his career in the Premier League and he returned to Boro after the defeat to Norwich in the end of season Football League showpiece in May 2015.

In pictures: Ipswich 2 Boro 2

But playing a semi-final is certainly not something new to him in a Boro shirt, the last time he embraced the occasion was 12 years ago in the memorable UEFA Cup battle with Steaua Bucharest.

Those memories remain strong and there are constant reminders around the Riverside, with pictures showing Massimo Maccarone’s match-winning diving header which was laid on by Downing’s delivery hanging on the wall.

Now Boro have a Premier League place to fight for over two legs with Aston Villa, starting with Saturday evening’s first leg at the Riverside followed by the return at Villa Park a week tonight.

Downing said: “I have been involved with a few two legged ties with Middlesbrough before even if I’ve not been in the play-offs … I can certainly remember a couple of them.

"Let’s hope we can make some memories with this one too. We can look forward to Saturday. The comebacks against Steaua, you can never repeat those … incredible.

“I suppose these are a different type of pressure games you can play. It’s weird because even though that was for a European final we were fighting for, you’re looking at this and thinking a trip to Wembley for probably the most lucrative one-off game there is in football.

“To get that prize would be absolutely unbelievable for this club. I can’t wait. Some of the young lads might not get a chance to play in a game like this again. Look at me, I am how old I am and this is the first time I have been in a play-off semi-final. You just never know.

“I don’t want to think too far ahead and think about walking out at Wembley for Middlesbrough. As soon as we got back in the dressing room at Ipswich on Sunday the manager shot us back down to earth.

“We have to get through these two games because Villa will be a difficult test. It’s their big chance to get back in the big league. I will relish it and we are in good form.”

Villa finished seven points ahead of Boro and Tony Pulis labelled his side underdogs immediately after the regular Championship season was over and the semi-final ties were confirmed.

Downing, a former Villa player who moved there after relegation in 2009, can understand why.

“Steve Bruce has been there or thereabouts many times, he has former Boro coach Steve Agnew there with him now as well to add an extra spice to it,” said Downing.

“Villa have spent a few quid, like we did, because they want to get promoted. If we can work together then we can do it. It doesn’t matter what game is first, the system we play we can get a result. We know that. The manager tells us how to play it and we need to just deliver it.”

Boro had to come from behind twice at Ipswich on Sunday to claim a point, with Patrick Bamford’s second equaliser arriving in the 96th minute to secure the point that prevented Derby from swapping places with them in fifth.

The fact that Middlesbrough managed to avoid defeat on the final day has encouraged Downing and his team-mates, particularly after they created more than 20 chances at Portman Road despite not winning.

The 33-year-old said: “We’ve still got momentum, we are creating chances. We didn’t have a clue about what else was going on, we just wanted to get our job done.

“The manager picked a strong team, we need momentum and you need players on form. We have no suspensions or injuries, so that’s the main thing, not who we play against.

“This will be my first play-offs. Do you go for it first game? Do you sit? Will they come at us? It’s all really exciting and interesting.

“You have to put the occasion to one side, over two legs I am quietly confident we can get the results.

“Six months ago, with the ups and downs we had, we were in a difficult position after the money we spent. But credit to the manager, we have had to get on with it and done it.”