Bolton Wanderers players accept they're facing the prospect of relegation after Saturday's thrashing at Aston Villa.

"If we don't win games we are down," said Andy O'Brien. "As it stands we need two wins to get us out of it. This was a disappointing result, not only losing but losing by four.

"It's difficult because it makes it a very long week and at the end of it now is the biggest game of the season.

"We are four points adrift and Birmingham's goal difference is better than ours which is an issue. We've been given a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel with them losing as well but I think it's a two-horse race between us and Birmingham.

"I do go home and get down about it after a result like this. It's our livelihood.

"We want to be going to Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge, we don't want to be contemplating the negative side of it.

"It's what you play football for, to play at the highest level.

"And until it becomes mathematically impossible, we believe we can stay up. We can only deal with reality."

Team-mate and former Villa defender Gary Cahill said: "The games are ticking away for us and nobody is going to lie.

"These are difficult times at Bolton but we've got to roll our sleeves up and dig in. We've got to believe we can still get out of trouble. I'd be devastated if we went down.

"I feel settled and I'm happy to be playing regular first-team football in the Premier League. That's what I needed when I joined Bolton so I don't regret moving at all."