Aston Villa caretaker manager Eric Black spoke to the media after the Midlands side’s loss in the Premier League against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The loss – Villa’s 24th of the season, meant that they would be playing Championship football next season for the first time since 1987. The relegation is the club’s first since the top division was established as the Premier League.
Speaking to the press after the game, as reported by BBC Sport , Villa’s caretaker boss admitted that despite the disappointment, his players put in an ‘outstanding’ performance in front of the Old Trafford faithful.
It’s a mood of disappointment. What I will say is today I thought [the Villa players] were outstanding – energy levels, desire to stick to the plan.
But for some misfortune, I thought we could have got a draw. I know there has been criticism – some of it deserved – but today they showed there was some pride for the shirt.
There are players in there capable of playing in the Championship. People in certain places will make sure that Villa will come back, I’m confident of that. That process has to start now.
The relegation has seen supporters wanting club owner Randy Lerner to leave the club, with both Tim Sherwood and Remi Garde unable to prevent Villa from an inevitable relegation.
Villa now have just four games left to try and depart England’s top division on a high, facing their final home game in three weeks against Newcastle United, before ending their time in the league away at Arsenal.
