Kevin MacDonald: Aston Villa are not in crisis
Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald insists Villa are not “in crisis” as he called on supporters to get behind the team at Millwall on Saturday.
MacDonald will be in the away dugout at The Den following this week’s departure of Steve Bruce.
Thierry Henry, Dean Smith and John Terry are among the frontrunners to replace the 57-year-old, who was sacked on Wednesday following a run of just one win in nine Championship games.
His dismissal also came just hours after a supporter had thrown a cabbage at Bruce prior to Tuesday night’s chaotic 3-3 draw with Preston.
Yet Villa remain just two points off the top six and MacDonald does not believe it will take much to turn things around.
"One or two of the fans seem to determine this as a crisis. This is not a crisis, we just need to get on a winning streak,” said MacDonald.
"I hope tomorrow that the fans come down to Millwall and get right behind the players. This is a time for unity.
"We have got to focus on trying to get three points tomorrow. It is an intimidating place to go [The Den] and we just hope that our players play better on the day and win the game.
"I will be carrying on the work of Steve. You don't have to change very much because we are close to being a very good side."
MacDonald, who is in his third stint as the club’s caretaker boss, believes the new manager will be appointed “reasonably quickly”.
And he expects contenders for the job will be keeping an eye on events at The Den.
Asked how he will attempt to motivate the players, MacDonald replied: “They're not trying to impress me but I think we all know that the manager who is taking the job will have people there watching the game, so they'll be desperate to impress them rather than myself.
"They are professional sportsmen so ultimately they want to win."
MacDonald is facing up to something of a defensive crisis with skipper James Chester suspended and Mile Jedinak struggling with a hamstring injury.
Chester was sent-off in controversial circumstances during the draw with Preston, referee Darren England both awarding the Lilywhites a penalty and showing the captain a straight red card after he had tangled with Lukas Nmecha.
Villa opted not to appeal the decision after receiving indications they risked increasing Chester’s one-match suspension.
MacDonald explained: “People were spoken to and we were told it might have gone the other way. He could have got more.”
