Nobby Solano hopes that Aston Villa players show some pride in their final game of the season against Brighton.
The former Newcastle United and Villa star is saddened to see one of his old clubs in such a mess, but hopes they can finish the season on a high.
Solano, now assistant manager of the Peruvian national team, believes it is up to the players to start the revival at Villa Park and get the club back on its feet.
He told the Chronicle: “Aston Villa are a big club and they need to sort themselves out.
“They are going through a tough period, but even now, the players they have, every time they pull on that Aston Villa shirt they should have some pride - no matter what’s at stake.
“A lot of clubs have had bad times.
“Teams like Blackburn, Nottingham Forest and Bolton Wanderers all had Premier League football in the palm of their hands.
“But they couldn’t sustain it and they have struggled to get back.”
Villa have had poor season after being relegated and could end their campaign in the bottom half of the Championship.
Solano, who played 52 times for Villa during their Premier League era, said: “Villa need to stop the rot and get back quickly.
“I hope they can as they are a former club of mine.
“For me it is sad to see their fans so down in the dumps and it’s up to the players to give them something to shout about.”