Aston Villa caretaker boss Eric Black could offer little after their 4-0 home defeat to Chelsea.

It seems Villa's 29-year stay in the top flight will peter out with a whimper at some point this month, despite caretaker boss Eric Black's rallying call for the players to try to restore some respect in the shirt.

Home fans held up placards reading "Proud History What Future?" in protest at the club's dire predicament with 74 minutes on the clock to symbolise the club's formation in 1874. Alan Hutton's late red card confounded Villa's afternoon.

Black said: "It's not pleasant but I fully understand the atmosphere. The supporters are understandably frustrated - as I probably would be if I'd only seen a couple of victories at home this season.

"The players are disappointed and what we must do is try to get the supporters back on side. The only way we can do that is by doing it on the pitch.

"It's okay showing it in the dressing room, kicking something, throwing something, but they need to do it out on the pitch and show the fans. Body language is important."