Saturday 7 May 2016 20:03, UK
Caretaker manager Eric Black believes Aston Villa have taken another small step in the right direction after a goalless draw against Newcastle.
Villa Park bid farewell to top-flight football for the first time since 1987 as Black's team avoided the indignity of setting a new club record of 12 successive league defeats.
Despite their loss at Watford last week, Black felt the performance went some way to helping to repair the fractured relationship with the club's supporters and the manager believes his side took another step forward against Newcastle.
He said: "The hope is that some of these supporters come back with slightly more optimism than they would have done going away with several home defeats. It's a very small step but it's a start, [we have] got to build something.
"I think last week we edged closer. We spoke all week about the supporters, because next season this club is going to need them, and at Watford, with the performance, I thought we edged towards them and again today I think we took another step.
"The supporters today were breathtaking and I think the players responded, played for the jersey and worked tirelessly.
"We had to try to get the supporters back on side before the end of this season, for the start of next season, because the atmosphere they create is pretty close to the 12th man.
"We need them and I think the players deserve credit for taking these little steps back towards them under difficult conditions."
When asked for his message to the fans, Black said: "Thank you [for your support]. Hopefully this wonderful club will be back up in the Premier League very quickly.
"They need the fans, the fans are the lifeblood of the club, and they are outstanding. They will definitely have their part to play next year in getting the team back to where they should be."
