Aston Villa caretaker Eric Black open to trying out youngsters
Saturday 9 April 2016 19:45, UK
Aston Villa caretaker boss Eric Black says he is open to trying out youngsters, with the club's relegation to the Championship all but confirmed.
Villa lost for a 23rd time this season and 11th time at home on Saturday, beaten 2-1 by Bournemouth.
Black started Australian right-back Jordan Lyden and brought on fellow 20-year-olds Jack Grealish and Adama Traore in the second half.
The former assistant head coach said he "can't question the effort" his team put in and they will fight on to restore a togetherness that will stand them in good stead for next season.
"I think there is always an opportunity for youngsters. If the players are good enough then you'll put them in, certainly in these circumstances," Black said.
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"You've got to take into consideration a lot of elements. Is it the right time? Can they handle it physicality? Can they handle a really good team like today?
"It's an option at times. One or two came on and did okay, others slightly better."
Jordan Ayew scored an 85-minute consolation for the Villans after Steve Cook and Josh King had but Bournemouth 2-0 up at Villa Park.
Black said: "We limited them to few chances, but unfortunately there were a few errors that meant we conceded.
"We have to keep being professional. I won't allow that to drop. We have to try and find a way to win a game, or get something from one. We'll continue to do that come Monday morning.
"It takes an awful lot of hard work to turn something like this around. It takes a discipline throughout the club and a togetherness. If we go down then hopefully the club will be in a position to come straight back up."
