Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood has claimed that his players gave him "everything" during Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.

The Villans slipped to within three points of the Premier League relegation zone at Old Trafford as they were undone by the Red Devils.

Despite seeing their survival hopes dealt a blow, Sherwood insists that he is proud of his team's performance against United.

"I was encouraged a lot," he told the club's official website. "A lot of the guys have been away internationally and played two 90-minute games.

"They gave me everything. I can't ask for more than that. They left nothing on the pitch, but Man United were too good for us."

Villa are back in action on Tuesday night when they host fellow strugglers Queens Park Rangers.