Aston Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner has called for unity after the club's fourth consecutive defeat left them in the thick of the Barclays Premier League relegation battle.

Frustration is growing among the Villa faithful after Saturday's defeat at Crystal Palace left them just four points clear of the drop-zone with five games to play.

Villa must now put the discontent aside and focus on the build up to Saturday's crucial home clash with Southampton - and Faulkner believes the fans can play a vital role in keeping Paul Lambert's men up.

He said: "We are hurting. Fans are hurting, players and the manager are hurting. The frustration is shared by everyone.

"Now more than ever it's time for us all to pull together - fans, players, the manager, everyone at the club.

"Our immediate focus and combined efforts need to be concentrated on our game with Southampton."