Aston Villa vs Southampton - Aston Villa aim to end tough week

Posted Saturday, April 23, 2016 by PA

Aston Villa caretaker boss Eric Black faces the unenviable task of trying to end a run of nine straight defeats when Southampton arrive on Saturday.

Last weekend the rudderless side's relegation was rubber-stamped, with a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United confirming their 28-year stay in the top flight was coming to an end.

The Aston Villa Protest Group are urging fans to carry on with the 'Banners out on 74' campaign at the end of a tough week.

"There's been one or two things to think about that's for sure, but I think it's all part of the circumstances," the caretaker boss said when asked if this had been his toughest week in football.

"We're all extremely disappointed. I certainly was on Saturday night and I have only been here two and a half months or so.

"I can't even contemplate how bad the supporters must feel and then you add that to those who may lose their jobs.

"I can't comprehend how difficult that must be for them, who have been quite a long time some of them.

"It is all unfortunately part of the circumstances of us being relegated but we now have to dust ourselves down again and move on, and try and get this club back to where it should be."

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has not given up hope of qualifying for Europe as he eyes a strong finish to the season, but accepts the chances are slim.

The Saints, who have placed eighth and seventh in their last two Premier League campaigns, have lost just once in their last six games. They lie in eighth place, three points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and five adrift of West Ham.

He said: "It is always possible (to get into Europe, but) we know it is very difficult because we know it is a gap of four or five points between us and Liverpool and West Ham.

"That makes it difficult, but if you win the last four then you have a better chance.

"That is why we are still focused and concentrated on this Saturday, because it is still not the end of the season and I don't like to end the season in a bad way.

"There is progress in the team and with individuals in the team, but I do believe we lost some big opportunities in several games - mostly away from home. That is the question why there is a gap between the teams above us.

"It is possible, it is achievable, but not if we make mistakes like we did in some of the games or even most of them away from home.

"We lost too many points and hadn't enough wins away from home and that makes it more difficult.

"It is not enough because the teams above us won their games and got many points and there is a gap.

"I already knew that after the draw against Everton (last weekend), because that was a really big opportunity that we missed not to score and to stay more close to the teams above us. Now it is really difficult, but still we need to believe to finish the season in a good way and that starts this Saturday."