|
#INSERT type:image caption:Tom Cleverely's goal made the difference as Villa beat West Ham. END# Boss Tim Sherwood warned Aston Villa their fight for survival was not over despite a crucial win over West Ham. Tom Cleverley's third goal in three games handed Villa a 1-0 victory to put them on the brink of Premier League safety. They are 14th in the table, four points above the bottom three with two games left, after Hull's defeat to Burnley. Villa go to Southampton next week before a home finale against the Clarets, who were relegated despite a 1-0 win at the KC Stadium -- but Sherwood is not taking safety for granted. He said: "Everyone is getting unlikely results. It's in our hands, but you will see a few more twists and turns. "I talked to them about complacency today but I didn't see it, I saw a very open, attacking performance and then I saw a really professional one in the second period. "They are marrying it all together and there seems to be a real maturity growing. I'm pleased for them." Cleverley has excelled under Sherwood, and the manager reiterated his desire to sign him when his loan from Manchester United expires at the end of the season. The midfielder is out of contract in the summer and Sherwood said: "We'll talk to him. I'm just going to tell him if he doesn't sign he's not playing in the Cup final [against Arsenal on May 30]. "He is easy to coach -- you only have to tell him once and he gets it. I'm pretty sure he'll get back into the England squad soon. "He still shows a lot of energy and determination for this club, he's on loan but he treats it as his own. "He has enjoyed his time here. It'll come down to money but it'll also come down to where he thinks he can play his best football. Not all players are mercenaries."
|
