Tim Sherwood: 'Players have to handle the pressure of relegation battle'

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter | 07 March 2015

Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood insists that his players have to handle the pressure of the relegation battle in the Premier League with 10 games remaining this season.

Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood has urged his players to take initiative to save themselves from relegation from the Premier League.

Villa moved out of the bottom three with a vital win over West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday courtesy of a last-minute penalty from Christian Benteke.

Sherwood has insisted that his side have continue to show fight for the rest of the campaign to ensure they earn the support of their fans and avoid the drop into the Championship.

He told Daily Mail: "The players have a duty, a responsibility, to fix this mess. I don't want to hear crap about how difficult it is to play at home. Playing for a big club comes with pressure. Anyone can do it for a lesser team — but you have to have bollocks to play for Aston Villa. This is a big club.

"The fans think they support a big club. They come here, they don't want to be in the relegation zone. They've got the hump. It's up to the players to spark them into life.

"People say the fans have got to get behind the team. Hold on, why must they cheer? You make them cheer. They're the only loyal people in the game. Make the difference for them, get them on your side."

Villa face West Brom in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup later today.