Aston Villa caretaker Eric Black sympathises with fans after Chelsea defeat

Aston Villa caretaker manager Eric Black sympathised with fans after they staged an emotional protest during his side's 4-0 defeat to Chelsea.

The Premier League bottom club were dispatched with ease by Guus Hiddink's understrength side as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Alexandre Pato and a Pedro brace sealed a comprehensive victory.

For Villa, little changed post-Remi Garde as their inevitable relegation to the Sky Bet Championship drew ever closer.

It seems Villa's 29-year stay in the top flight will peter out with a whimper at some point this month, despite Black's rallying call for the players to try to restore some pride in the shirt.

Home fans held up placards reading "Proud History What Future?" in protest at the club's dire predicament with 74 minutes on the clock to symbolise the club's formation in 1874.

Alan Hutton's late red card only confounded Villa's dismal afternoon.

"It's not pleasant but I fully understand the atmosphere," Black said. "The supporters are understandably frustrated - as I probably would be if I'd only seen a couple of victories at home this season.

"The players are disappointed and what we must do is try to get the supporters back on side. The only way we can do that is by doing it on the pitch.

"It's okay showing it in the dressing room, kicking something, throwing something, but they need to do it out on the pitch and show the fans. Body language is important."