---
title: "Black: I can fully understand the atmosphere"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2016/04/03/black-i-can-fully-understand-atmosphere/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ed Payne"
section: "Aston Villa Match Previews"
published: "2016-04-02T23:14:29Z"
modified: "2016-04-05T12:59:54Z"
---

# Black: I can fully understand the atmosphere

Caretaker manager Eric Black has said he can fully understand the atmosphere at Villa Park, having overseen Villa losing to Chelsea 4-0 in his first game in charge.

Black, who was appointed as caretaker manager following Remi Garde’s departure on Tuesday, was under no illusion as to why the atmosphere was so bad at Villa Park, saying that it’s not pleasant but also stressing that it’s going to take time to turn it around.

Speaking to the [Villa website](https://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~5464917,00.html) after the game, he said:

> It’s not pleasant. I have been here for only a couple of months but it’s not been overly enjoyable in regards to that.
>
> However, I can fully understand the atmosphere.
>
> The supporters are obviously frustrated as I probably would be as a supporter if I’d only seen a couple of victories.
>
> It’s a massive turnaround required at the football club and I think people are on the way to doing that.
>
> But it’s going to take time.

![Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2016/04/518671792.jpg)

Black also spoke about the game itself, saying that he thought Villa started okay, but were then faced with an enormous challenge as Chelsea rattled in the goals.

He said:

> We started the match okay. We were containing Chelsea and trying to get the ball to Rudy Gestede and retain it in the final third.
>
> Once the goal went in, you can see visibly at times that they take a big dent.
>
> The first goal in the Premier League is obviously a massive game changer and makes the task that much harder.
>
> However, to compound that there’s the penalty just before half-time and then we conceded another one right after the break.
>
> It makes it then an enormous challenge.

Villa’s relegation to the Championship could finally be confirmed next weekend, with Norwich needing only a point if Villa lose to Bournemouth to send Villa down. In the grand scheme of things, today’s result only reinforced what many fans thought about Aston Villa and that is that a complete overhaul of the playing squad needs to take place, with players such as Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott and Brad Guzan candidates to be the first out of the door in the summer.