Source: Daily_Mail
McLeish wants Villa to bounce back after boos nightmare
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish is looking for a positive response from his players after holding a 'constructive' meeting in the aftermath of last night's 2-0 home Carling Cup defeat by Bolton.[LNB]Villa were greeted with boos from their fans at the final whistle despite it being their first loss of the campaign, goals from Chris Eagles and on-loan Chelsea player Gael Kakuta having proved decisive at Villa Park.[LNB]McLeish did not appear to face the media for an hour after the match as he and his squad dissected a below-par performance.[LNB] Clear the air: Aston Villa manager Alex McCleish held talks with his players after being knocked out of the Carling Cup[LNB]Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan made only one serious save - in the 87th minute and from a defender in James Collins.[LNB]When asked if there were 'a few words spoken' afterwards, McLeish replied: 'Yes, but it wasn't a shouting match. It was an adult conversation.[LNB]'I wanted to hear the views of the experienced players and it was constructive.[LNB]'It is a learning process for a lot of the younger players out there but the team have to bounce back.[LNB]'The experienced guys have done it so many times before, guys like Richard Dunne, so that's the reaction I'll be looking for.[LNB]'We know we are not Manchester United but we are trying to blood some young players and fast-track them to be Premier League players and be successful in cup competitions.'[LNB] Bad day at the office: Aston Villa's James Collins and the rest of the players were booed by the home fans as they left the pitch[LNB]The major plus point for McLeish was the display of substitute Charles N'Zogbia, who has struggled to show his best form since moving from Wigan during the summer.[LNB]McLeish said: 'Charles came on and I thought he looked bright. We saw some end product from him, some good delivery.[LNB]'Charles just needed a wee break to think about things as well and he came on and gave us a great reaction.'[LNB]McLeish will hope record signing Darren Bent will have recovered from a groin problem in time for Sunday's clash at QPR but admits it is 'touch and go'.[LNB]He said: 'Darren is not as bad as first feared. But he is touch and go for the weekend. He is at this stage 50-50.'[LNB] Too good: Gael Kakuta inspired Bolton to a 2-0 win[LNB]Bolton boss Owen Coyle has a selection headache for the weekend trip to Arsenal after being impressed by some of the nine players he brought into the side at Villa.[LNB]He said: 'I think as a manager that is a problem you crave.[LNB]'You want to be picking a team because players are playing well, not because you've got three or four on song and the rest are out of sorts.[LNB]'A few of them have put themselves in real contention for the match at Arsenal on Saturday. That is a nice headache to have.[LNB]'David Ngog looked really lively up front, despite having to deal with two top centre-halves in James Collins and Richard Dunne.[LNB]'The two wide players, Chris Eagles and Gael Kakuta, looked a threat all night. It looked a nice balance.'[LNB]Coyle was also relieved to end a run of 13 goals conceded in the previous four games.[LNB]He said: 'The other big boost is that it was the first clean sheet we've had since the opening day of the season at QPR.[LNB]'That gives everyone confidence. If you can get the platform of those clean sheets, it gives you the basis to try to win games.'[LNB] Aston Villa 0 Bolton 2: Eagles and Kakuta strike to ruin McLeish's masterplanIt's a Given that Bent will score - Keeper Shay backs striker to find the net soonEXCLUSIVE: Collins offered two-year extension deal to remain at Villa Park until 2015All the latest Aston Villa news, features and opinion [LNB]
