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Chris Brunt wants Albion to stay focused at Villa

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West Brom head for Villa Park tonight with Chris Brunt insisting Tony Pulis' side cannot take survival for granted. more

The former captain and stand-in left-back says the Baggies cannot count on their relegation rivals slipping up, even after victory over Southampton on Saturday eased them away from danger at the foot of the table.

Pulis's men are eight points clear of the drop zone on 30 points, meaning the teams in the bottom three including Villa would need a stunning end to the season to overhaul them.

But Brunt is adamant they will not be relying on Villa and Co coming up short after they survived last season with a final tally of 36.

Their win on Saturday lifted much of the pressure with most of the sides below them losing, including Villa's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle.

Brunt said: "Saturday probably was a big day. Obviously the results have gone for us and that's always a bonus but you can't rely on that.

"We relied on it a lot last year and we can't expect to do that again.

"We got lucky with it last year so this year we have to go out and concentrate on our own performances and our own games.

"We're in a good place at the moment and in a good run of form.

"It was another clean sheet on Saturday and it's a good feeling to come of the pitch knowing you haven't conceded any goals.

"We went out to do a job to get points on the board and we did it and we can't affect other results."

Saturday brought Albion's seventh clean sheet in 10 games under Pulis, with Brunt a key figure in their defensive solidity after switching to left-back as part of Pulis's new-look back four.

But the 30-year-old is quick to credit the rest of the team for their efforts in helping the defenders.

"We've shown how we can defend as a team in the last few weeks and it's not just a case of the goalkeeper and defenders getting credit," said Pulis.

"The lads in front of us work ever so hard and now I've dropped back another unit I appreciate how hard the lads have to work in front of you.

"I know how hard a shift it is for them because I've done it for the last few years but it's paying off at the moment with all the clean sheets and points we're getting on the board.

"It's been OK so far at left-back. Results are going well and we're keeping clean sheets so you can't really argue with that.

"But I've still got a lot to learn. It's difficult just picking up a new position like that, but we've got experience alongside me in Joleon and Gareth, who are natural defenders.

"Craig Gardner has been in front of me for the last couple of weeks and has worked ever so hard.

"Even Sess, or anyone who has been in front of me, has worked really hard for the team and they make your job a lot easier.

"You appreciate that and it's nice to be involved in it, but whatever we you can get the points on the board, you do it for the team."

Albion played slick football for 30 minutes on Saturday before digging in to keep high-flying Southampton at bay for a priceless victory.

And he insists style must take a back seat to substance for the remainder of the season as they chase league safety and FA Cup glory.

"That's the situation we find ourselves in this season and we can't expect to always play great football and win games," he said.

"I'm not saying we're playing bad football. There are times when we've played good stuff and got points out of games.

"But when it comes to the nitty gritty we all know our jobs, we are defending well as a team and it's proving to be a good at the minute."