Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood has told his players it's up to them to lift the club away from the dropzone.

Sherwood won't hear excuses about freezing at home.

"The players have a duty, a responsibility, to fix this mess. I don't want to hear crap about how difficult it is to play at home," he said.

"Playing for a big club comes with pressure. Anyone can do it for a lesser team - but you have to have b******s to play for Aston Villa. This is a big club.

"The fans think they support a big club. They come here, they don't want to be in the relegation zone. They've got the hump. It's up to the players to spark them into life.

"People say the fans have got to get behind the team. Hold on, why must they cheer? You make them cheer. They're the only loyal people in the game. Make the difference for them, get them on your side."