Aston Villa defender Matthew Lowton has told his teammates that they must start the final part of the season strongly if they want to stay in the Premier League.

The Villans are currently in the relegation zone on goal difference behind 17th-placed Wigan Athletic following one win in their last 10 matches.

"There are 11 massive games from now to the end of the season and we've got to make sure we get out of the blocks and get ahead and we have to be strong enough to go on and get the wins," Lowton told the Express & Star.

Villa, who last dropped out of the top flight in 1987, host champions Manchester City in the league on Monday night.