Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell has put his hands up to his gaffe that led to defeat to Middlesbrough on Sunday.

He told AVTV: "I have looked back at it about 20 times now and I still can't believe what I did. It's one of those things - it's unbelievable and inexcusable.

"I let down thousands of fans who pay good money to come and watch their team and also the rest of the lads in the dressing room who are sweating and working hard throughout the game.

"It was a lapse of concentration. It was a freak moment and 99 times out of 100 it wouldn't have happened. Unfortunately for me, it did. It was really surreal because I had experienced the jubilation before with my goal - that was a great feeling. And then that elation was taken away. It was the classic rollercoaster of emotions and it was a terrible moment to finish on.

"Now it's important for me to get that out of my system by getting out on the training pitch and working hard. It's not going to be a problem for me - it won't affect my confidence - I am a strong character and I will get on with it.

"I am already looking forward to the game on Saturday and hopefully I will be in the side. I am sure I will bounce back from it.

"It's important to face things full on. It would have been easy for me to go home after the game, switch off the TV, go to bed and then not read the papers in the morning. But I did. You have to take the criticism. You have to take the rough with the smooth.

"The good thing is I'm not the sort of person who needs an arm around the shoulder or a geeing up. I don't mind a rollicking from the gaffer when I've made a mistake. When you play well you should accept the plaudits and when you've made an error, you have to take the criticism."