Sinclair: I take criticism on board; of course Villa can survive

Scott Sinclair insist he will not dodge the critics – and is refusing to be budged in his belief that Aston Villa can avoid relegation this season.

The forward has refuses to shy away from the doubters and watches Match of the Day despite the disparaging reviews.

Villa host Arsenal on Sunday in danger of being cut adrift at the bottom and are eight points from the safety line.

They have not won since the opening day of the season and have just six points – no team has ever survived with that amount at this stage of the season.

Sinclair believes it can spur Villa on as he aims to prove the critics wrong.

He said: “I heard through the TV and Match of the Day so it inspires you even more.

“Sometimes when you’re not doing so good you’ve got to listen to the criticism and take it on board.

“You have to face up and your character to show you can change it around. I listen and it’s up to you and the team to change that and make everyone think differently.

“Writing us off and saying no-one has every done it gives you that extra bit of drive to be the only team to get out of it.

“At the end of the season you can staying the league and say ‘I told you so’.”

Villa set a club record for their longest winless league run after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Southampton made it 14 games without a victory.

But Sinclair still believes they can stay up despite winning just once all season.

He said: “There are still 23 games left in the season so there is still time to turn it around. If we can stop losing games and start picking up points along the way hopefully we can start turning it around.”