Aston Villa: James Collins lifts the lid on heated defensive debate following Spurs shocker

Nov 27 2011 Mat Kendrick

ASTON Villa’s backline have been ordered to go on the defensive at Swansea this afternoon – after manager Alex McLeish went on the attack during a no-nonsense dressing room summit.

James Collins revealed he was a target of a post-Tottenham tirade from the Villa boss and the under-performing centre-half admits he thoroughly deserved the rollicking.

Collins, Richard Dunne, Stephen Warnock, Alan Hutton, Carlos Cuellar and goalkeeper Shay Given all had a frank exchange of views with the manager after a dreadful defensive display in the 2-0 defeat at Spurs last Monday.

McLeish has since admitted he must take some responsibility for the result, but that didn’t stop Collins and Co experiencing the Scotsman’s wrath in immediate aftermath in the White Hart Lane visitors’ dressing room.

Villa’s manager admitted his words during the heated inquest were not fit for publication – and Collins confirmed McLeish, a centre-half by trade, was far from pleased.

“We had a big discussion in the changing room,” Collins disclosed. “Individually and as a team we knew we weren’t good enough on Monday. I think it needed to be talked about and it has been talked about and sorted.

“The manager certainly had his say at half-time and full-time and it was fully deserved. I knew myself that I hadn’t played well.