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McLeish issues Villa challenge

Image: Chris Herd: Alex McLeish has been impressed by the Aston Villa youngster this season

Alex McLeish is wary of putting pressure on Aston Villa's youngsters and is looking for senior players to take more of the strain.

Manager doesn't want to rely too much on Herd

Alex McLeish has admitted he is wary of putting too much pressure on Aston Villa's youngsters and is looking for senior players to take more of the strain. Villa have made a solid start to the Premier League campaign, although Monday's 2-0 defeat at Tottenham left them seven points adrift of the top seven. The likes of Chris Herd and Barry Bannan have been heavily involved so far and McLeish has been impressed, particularly by the progression of 22-year-old Australian Herd. However, the Villa boss accepts that he cannot be too demanding of these players and he wants everyone in the squad to take responsibility. "Guys like Chris Herd and Barry Bannan are getting a crash course in the Premier League," McLeish said in The Times ahead of Sunday's clash with Swansea.

Toughness

"To rely on these kids for the whole season is putting a lot of pressure on them. "(Herd) has certainly shown the mental toughness to handle it. "He's developing but let's not put too much pressure on him. Sometimes he will have to get a rest. "That's the challenge that's ahead of us."

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