Villa pair back boss
Aston Villa’s central defensive partnership of Liam Ridgewell and Aaron Hughes insist all the players are backing under-fire manager David O’Leary.
Fans chanted ‘O’Leary out’ after the 4-1 mauling at Everton 10 days ago, although only a couple of banners portrayed any discontent among the 32,000 present at Saturday’s goalless draw with Fulham.
But England Under-21 international Ridgewell and Northern Ireland skipper Hughes are adamant O’Leary has the support of the dressing room.
Ridgewell told PA Sport: “People have got their opinions but us as players and the gaffer are sticking together. I think you saw that against Fulham at the weekend.
“I am sure if everyone wasn’t behind the gaffer, you might have seen a different result.”
Hughes added: “The players are behind the manager. We want to get this 40-point mark that everyone talks about and then we want to finish the season as high as we can.”
Ridgewell came in for praise from O’Leary for a rock-solid performance against the Cottagers in the absence of Olof Mellberg, Mark Delaney and Martin Laursen.
He said: “I thought the plus side for us, with the people we had out, was Liam Ridgewell. I thought he was outstanding at the back against Fulham.
“He did very well. For a young lad, I thought he was very strong indeed.
“But I was very pleased with our overall game defensively. I thought the improvement from the previous week against Everton was significant.
“That was the part we had to improve, of dealing with those high balls and challenging for things. That part we did very well.”
