Source: Daily_Mail
James Collins backs Aston Villa to stay up despite perilous league position
James Collins admits Aston Villa's current plight is unacceptable but insists their team spirit and togetherness will help them ensure Barclays Premier League survival.[LNB]Villa have been embroiled in a relegation battle in recent months although Sunday's 1-0 win against Newcastle courtesy of Collins' header moved them five points clear of the bottom three.[LNB]But central defender Collins has rubbished speculation that the dressing room has not been completely united.[LNB]Collins, who will face his former club West Ham on Saturday at Upton Park, said: 'The spirit has never been in question. I can say that this is the best changing room I've ever been in.[LNB] Precious three points: James Collins (centre) nods the winner against Newcastle[LNB]'The lads are great together, everyone gets on, and we are all fighting for the same thing. No one wants to be in a team that has been relegated. We showed great spirit out there against Newcastle.'[LNB]Collins added: 'For a club of Villa's size it would be disastrous for everyone to go go down.[LNB]'For any team in the Premier League, relegation is a disaster but Villa is a massive club. To be in the position we are in, is not acceptable.[LNB]'We know everyone hasn't performed and we need to step it up to the way we performed last season.[LNB]'We set out before the Everton game last weekend on an eight game season and we've got four points from the first two of those matches which is massive.[LNB]'It was a big win on Sunday but we don't want to get carried away and hopefully we can take confidence from that and get three points at West Ham.'[LNB] He's world class! Collins backs Villa keeper Friedel to carry on at the topAston Villa 1 Newcastle 0: Young in 'dive' storm as Villa edge clear of dropAll the latest Aston Villa news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:Places: Newcastle
