Aston Villa defender James Collins admits his performance in defeat at Tottenham last week was his worst for the club.

With Ciaran Clark and Carlos Cuellar pushing for places, Collins realises his berth at the heart of Villa's backline is far from assured.

"It was the worst game I've played in a Villa shirt," Collins told the Sunday Mercury. "It's disappointing at a time when we thought we could move on.

"You try not to think of the bad games too much otherwise there can be a lack of confidence going into the next game.

"I have to perform or I will be out of the team.

"The good thing about being at a club this big is that you have competition for places. Carlos has come back and is spot on and we all know what sort of player Ciaran is.

"They're breathing down my neck."