Aston Villa coach Gordon Cowans says the club does not deserve relegation.

European Cup winner Cowans was promoted to assist Paul Lambert after the suspension of No.2 Ian Culverhouse and head of football operations Gary Karsa.

"It's been tough at the club for a number of years. First of all I never want Villa to go down, but to go down on my watch, no I don't know how I'd deal with that," he told the Express & Star.

"Sometimes you can be sitting watching a match, the songs start, it's difficult to explain, but you feel choked up by the atmosphere, because it means so much.

"Aston Villa is a fantastic club. It's got a heart to it. It's been through some difficult times but Villa means so much to so many, me included on that list. It's a wonderful place. We have a duty to make it safe."