Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies has revealed his mild goal celebrations against West Brom were pre-meditated.
The centre-back scored the opening goal of his side's 2-1 win over his former club at Villa Park.
"I never expected to score, but I've always said if I scored against them I would never celebrate," Davies said.
"I had a good time at West Brom, I was captain there, I've got lots of friends there. So if I'd run and gone ballistic I wouldn't be doing myself justice."
Davies' first goal of the season helped consolidate Villa's position in the top four of the Premier League, though the 23-year old thinks his strike was a long time coming.
"If we can play to our potential I don't see why we can't stay amongst it"
"It was good, I manage to score the hard ones but I miss the sitters," he told BBC WM. "I've missed quite a few chances lately, so it's unlucky for West Brom that it has come against them."
The muted celebrations after the goal did not spare Davies some good-natured stick from the Baggies' fans he left behind when he moved to Villa Park in the early part of last season.
"That is part-and-parcel of the game, they did give me stick, but I'm not going to bite on that because I've got my own feelings towards the club and I still like the club, so I wish them well."
Villa are ahead of Arsenal in the race for the fourth and final place in next season's Champions League, and they stayed ahead of the Gunners despite never hitting their top form against West Brom.
"I think that's the sign of a good team really, when you're winning games and not playing at your best," Davies said.
"If we can play to our potential and do better I don't see why we can't stay amongst it."
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