Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood says he saw signs today that his players are not ready to give up and accept relegation from the Premier League.
Sherwood's side went down to a 1-0 defeat away at Newcastle United today, a result which leaves them sitting second from bottom in the Premier League, although it is only goal difference to 17th placed QPR keeping Villa in the drop zone.
A single goal in the 37th minute from Papiss Cisse was enough for Newcastle to take all three points during a game in which both sides looked nervous.
Sherwood though is not disheartened and believes he saw a side ready to fight for their place in the Premier League.
He told the BBC: "I saw signs today this team isn't ready to give up. It's not too late, there's everything to play for.
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"People say we're too good to go down, it's all nonsense. It's all about guts and desire when you're in a relegation zone. We've got that, now we need to show quality."
Now Sherwood says he is turning up the heat on his under-achieving players, telling them that no more points can be dropped in their remaining eleven league games.
"I'm ramping up the pressure on them – I'm telling them we can't afford to drop any more points.
"We have to take points in every game we play. It's as simple as that", the former Tottenham Hotspur boss added.
Next up for Aston Villa is a visit from West Brom on Tuesday.
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