Kevin MacDonald: Defensive issues ‘the first priority’ for Aston Villa

MacDonald was at the helm for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Millwall when a makeshift backline, missing both skipper James Chester and Mile Jedinak, was ruthlessly exposed.

Tammy Abraham fired the visitors into a seventh minute lead but they failed to push on, eventually succumbing to goals from Shane Ferguson and Tom Elliott.

Villa have now conceded 20 goals in just 12 Championship games, the second-worst record of any team in the division. They have also blown nine points from winning positions and sit ten points behind leaders Sheffield United.

Thierry Henry is the frontrunner to become Steve Bruce’s permanent successor and could be appointed before Villa’s home game with Swansea on Saturday week.

MacDonald said: “We need to get more clean sheets. There is nothing wrong with the players. Most are internationals so they must be good players.

“More clean sheets will give us the chance to be more expansive.

“It’s been different individuals making the mistakes every week. The players are disappointed.

“If it were not for some of the silly goals we have conceded, we could have been running away with it. We’re not and that is frustrating.”

Bruce, who was sacked last week following Villa’s chaotic 3-3 draw with Preston, is now expected to take some time out from the game before deciding his next move.

MacDonald revealed the 57-year-old is considering a trip to watch England take on the West Indies in the Caribbean a couple of months from now.

“I have spoken to Steve and he’s OK, though obviously very disappointed,” he said. Knowing Steve, he is more disappointed for the rest of the staff, like Clem (Stephen Clemence) and Aggers (Steve Agnew).

“He was disappointed because we were one kick away last year. It could easily have been us in the Premier League but it’s not.

“I’m sure there will be other jobs for him if he wants them but he’s had a difficult year and he might need some time for reflection.

“He said to me he might go and watch the cricket in the Caribbean over the winter. He can afford it!”