Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has challenged his players to cut out the sloppy goals being conceded on a regular basis.

McLeish knows Villa must start accumulating clean sheets, something they have managed just once in 13 games, ahead of Sunday's home clash with Premier League leaders Manchester City.

McLeish said: "We have to get back to shut-outs. We have to show the five internationals at the back have what it takes to stop goals.

"We played ever so well in parts of Sunday's game at Newcastle and yet we conceded soft goals again. We have got to be prepared to die to stop balls coming in from the sides. It was a problem last season as well.

"Off the ball we need to be vigilant and doing the ugly work as well."