Villa owner Randy Lerner’s right-hand man has urged the club’s players to “kick the c**p” out of the opposition as they bid to avoid relegation under boss Gerard Houllier.

Outspoken Villa director General Charles Krulak has also told fans that he has made Lerner aware of the depth of fan anger after the 1-0 home defeat to Wolves.

The defeat has left the team a point above the relegation zone and Vietnam war veteran Krulak has issued a rallying call to those on the pitch and in the stands with an impassioned message on supporters’ forum Villa Talk.

Krulak said: “When my Marines put on their uniforms and the emblem of the Corps and went into battle and things got tough, they did not fight for their commander, they fought for their brothers-in-arms, the men wearing their uniform and emblem.

“When a player puts on a kit and wears the club badge, I would expect the same. We have very good lads who know how to play with passion.

“We have all seen them do it and have cheered them on. They are professionals who have given 110 per cent in many games.

“What we need now is to quit pointing fingers and everyone look at the claret and blue of our kit and the badge they are wearing and go out and kick the c**p out of the next teams we play until the end of the season!”

Krulak also confirmed he had been in contact with Lerner since Villa lost to Wolves on Saturday.

He said: “I was terribly disappointed by the game. All of your comments are fed to Randy, but I am certainly aware of the position we are in.

“I am not happy about where we are and can assure you that Randy and the board want success as much as the fans.”

Villa striker Darren Bent also insisted the squad remain united behind Houllier, despite the poor run of form.

The £24million striker said: “We need to stick together and we all believe in the manager – the players and the staff – and we are still fighting for him and I’m hopeful we’ll very soon get out of it.

“Everyone is still confident and everyone is still fighting and all the players believe in the manager which is the main thing. We are in a fight and just need to keep going.

“He still believes in us and we believe in him and we have all got to stick together – that is the main message.”