Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner have released a statement backing under-fire manager Alex McLeish.

The Scot's future at Villa Park was cast into more doubt on Tuesday night as a 2-1 defeat at home to Bolton Wanderers dragged the club further into a relegation battle.

Fifteenth-placed Villa are now just three points off the drop zone with three games remaining.

"Right now everyone connected with Villa is hurting badly," read the statement on the club's official website.

"We very openly acknowledge the frustrations of Villa fans and share in them completely.

"We will continue to support and rely on our manager and the squad and therefore give them our full support."

Villa continue their fight for survival on Saturday when they travel to local rivals West Bromwich Albion.