Sunday 10 April 2016 23:41, UK
Caretaker boss Eric Black has backed Aston Villa to recover from relegation - but admits the road back could be long and hard.
Results over the weekend still left them with a mathematical chance of overhauling Norwich and climbing to 17th, but in reality everyone connected to the club is preparing for life in the Championship.
Villa's 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday - an eighth straight loss - left them 15 points behind the Canaries with 15 points left to play for, plus an inferior goal difference to Alex Neil's team.
It promises to be a pivotal summer at Villa, with the next managerial appointment surely one of the most important the club will ever make in their history, and Black believes things will turn around.
Black said: "I am sure this club will one day come back.
"It's going to be a mighty challenge, an enormous challenge. I went down once with Birmingham and we came straight back up.
"But, my goodness, it's a hard challenge. It's a huge turnaround at a club and it's a different division. It's a sombre mood, as you would imagine.
"It's been a difficult season for everyone concerned at the club. We're not relegated as yet but we're not far off."
A number of names have been linked with the vacant managerial position at Villa Park, including David Moyes, Garry Monk and Nigel Pearson.
"I think it has to be right person whenever that is, whether it's now or July 1," said Black.
"It is important now that the people above take their time and get the right person in. It is ongoing. I haven't spoken to anybody but as far as I know it's an ongoing process.
"There will be 100 people who want to take it, want to be associated with it and want to be given the opportunity. But the club have to pick the right one because it's a big challenge."
