McLeish expresses relief at virtual safety

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has expressed his relief after the Birmingham club all but secured their Premier League safety.

Villa drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur to move to 38 points while West Brom's late equaliser at Bolton means that Villa are three clear of the drop zone with a far superior goal difference.

"It is a relief there's no doubt," McLeish said after this afternoon's game. "It's been a trying season pretty much from start to finish and when you start to lose key players it makes it very difficult.

"We have blooded young players and hopefully it will stand them in good stead. The main thing we focused on was attitude and in that first half I thought they we excellent. Home form has been a problem we gave Tottenham a really good game."

Villa travel to Norwich on the final day in a week's time.

Written by
Pascal Lemesre