Tim Sherwood has admitted that Aston Villa's performances have left him "bored" this season.

Villa have not won in the Premier League since the opening day of the campaign and they extended their losing run to five games with a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.

As a result, Sherwood has been forced to listen to speculation surrounding his future, but he believes that the key to ending their poor form is to play without fear.

"The last few weeks have been boring, I've felt bored watching it," the Villa boss told reporters. "People going square, sideways, I'm not telling them to do that. I'm telling them to express themselves.

"I would never be pragmatic. I've done it a few times but I don't like myself for it. I'm trying to instil in them not to be scared to lose. If anyone should be scared to lose then it should be me. But I'm not. I want to go out on the front foot and if I die, I die on my sword."

Villa now switch their focus to Saturday's home fixture against Swansea City.