Aston Villa caretaker manager Eric Black has outlined his desire to get the fans back on side following their relegation from the Premier League this season.
The Villans will be out of the top flight for the first time since 1987 next season after a disastrous campaign that has seen them amass just 17 points with only one game remaining.
They did at least stop the rot by avoiding a club-record 12th consecutive defeat courtesy of a goalless draw with Newcastle United this afternoon, and Black is confident that the team are heading back in the right direction.
"I think last week we edged closer. We spoke all week about the supporters, because next season this club is going to need them, and at Watford with the performance I thought we edged towards them and again today I think we took another step," he told reporters.
"The supporters today were breathtaking and I think the players responded, played for the jersey and worked tirelessly. We had to try to get the supporters back on side before the end of this season, for the start of next season, because the atmosphere they create is pretty close to the 12th man.
"We need them and I think the players deserve credit for taking these little steps back towards them under difficult conditions. The hope is that some of these supporters come back with slightly more optimism than they would have done going away with several home defeats. It's a very small step but it's a start, (we have) got to build something."
Villa will bid farewell to the Premier League away to Arsenal next weekend.
Barney Corkhill
