McLeish admits drop fears

McLeish admits drop fears

Alex McLeish: Admits he fears being dragged into the relegation dogfight

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish admits he fears being dragged into the relegation dogfight.

Villa sit just five points above the drop zone and they arguably face the toughest run-in of the sides down at the wrong end of the table.

McLeish's options have been hit by injuries to the likes of Darren Bent, Richard Dunne and Charles N'Zogbia and the absence of Stiliyan Petrov through illness and the Villa boss is determined to get to the 40-point mark as soon as possible.

"I don't think I have ever not been worried this season," McLeish told the Daily Mirror.

"We have to look to get to at least 40 points. That is the target I'd be giving to the players and get to that target as quickly as possible.

"We have to look to get to at least 40 points. That is the target I'd be giving to the players and get to that target as quickly as possible."
Alex McLeishQuotes of the week

"I think we could have been better with some of the points we have thrown away.

"But we have been weakened by injuries. Birmingham were also definitely significantly weakened after winning the Cup final - losing about five or six key players.

"That does make your job much harder without doubt. But I care, I am conscientious and try and leave no stone unturned.

"I am a deep thinker about things. I am concentrating on winning enough games to make sure Villa is OK."

Weaker

McLeish admits he is not surprised Villa have struggled this season after losing the likes of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing last su mmer.

"I did say at the beginning of the season it wasn't the greatest experienced squad though," added McLeish.

"We had a lot of young players augmenting the squad. I said it would be a tough challenge for us and a transitional period given the way Randy wants to run the club and get the wages down.

"It has been proven and we are weaker than the players here last season at this stage.

"They had Ashley Young, Downing and Kyle Walker - three terrific players."