Villa skipper not blaming fatigue

Captain Gareth Barry refuses to accept the players are tired as a reason for their recent slump.

Villa are now eight points off the only UEFA Cup spot after they collected two points out of 12 following Saturday’s defeat to Sunderland.

“I can only speak for myself and if the other lads are tired, they certainly haven’t mentioned it,” he said.

“That’s too much of an easy excuse. We played OK on Saturday but the goals we’re conceding are hurting us a bit.

“They’re simple mistakes and ones we should be dealing with, and we didn’t create too much, although a couple went either side of the post.

“Another day it could have gone differently but with the run we’re on – four games without a win – it affects you more.”

Barry also believes the team have to accept responsibility – not just the team’s young star performers such as Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young.

“It’s too easy just to blame Gabby and Ashley,” said Barry.

“They have both had fantastic seasons.

“People will start to get to know how they play, but this is their second season and they have produced the goods again.

“They’ll bounce back once the team starts winning – that will give everyone confidence, not just those two players.”