Joleon Lescott: It's a weight off for Villa
Joleon Lescott has described Villa's relegation from the Premier League as a "weight off the shoulders."
The claret and blues exit from the top flight was sealed with a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.
Defender Lescott is one of several players to have been targeted by furious supporters in recent weeks.
He said: "We knew before the game what we had to do but coming to Old Trafford is never easy no matter what situation you're in.
"Throughout the game we showed a level of pride that there's probably not been enough of throughout the season.
"It's about results so regardless of how we played in patches today we are relegated. We need to find a way to get out of this run of defeats.
"Now it's confirmed maybe it's a weight off the shoulders and we can give these fans what they deserve, some performances.
"Throughout the season we have given reasons for people to jump on us. It's part of football, we have to take that on the chin.
"It's a tough time at the minute. At the back of our minds is next season to get promoted. I'm here for as long as Aston Villa want me."
Lescott, who joined Villa in a £2million move from West Brom last September, was pilloried by supporters after tweeting a picture of a Mercedes following a 6-0 defeat to Liverpool in February.
