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Joleon Lescott says he wants to stay at Aston Villa and help the club he has supported since he was a boy return to the Premier League. Zach Brown Authentic Jersey . Villas relegation after 28 years in the top flight was confirmed with a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday.Their future remains uncertain, with Eric Black still caretaker manager and no permanent successor yet on the horizon, but Lescott has vowed to fight on through the most difficult time in the clubs history. The fall and fall of Villa Aston Villas fall has been years in the making, but how did it happen? Of course I want to be part of the battle. Im here for as long as Aston Villa want me, he told Sky Sports.I was a Villa fan growing up, so it hurts as much as some of those fans out there, even though they might not think so.As an individual I can only take my part in the blame but I dont think its ever as bad as what people portray in the press. But were not going to dwell on that and use it as an excuse. Aston Villa caretaker manager Eric Black says it is a difficult day for the club Weve not been good enough this season and thats why we are where we are.Villas 24th defeat of the season compounded one of the worst Premier League records a side has put together, despite a recently-appointed new board of directors gutting the club of its failing staff, fans have continued to protest in earnest.Lescott said: The criticism has been a bit of both; warranted and, at times, unfair. Throughout the season we have given reasons for people to jump on us, but there hasnt been so many reasons at times.But its part of football and we have to take it on the chin. When things are going well you love it but when things arent going well its horrible to be a part of. Its a tough time at the minute and we owe it to the club and the fans to keep striving forward. Aston Villa succumbed to their 24th defeat of the season at Old Trafford In the back of our minds is to get promotion next season, but weve got some games left. Eric has come in and done a great job. Its disappointing but we showed a level of pride and desire today that probably hasnt been there enough throughout the season, and its led to us being relegated.Now its been confirmed that we are going to go down, hopefully its a weight off our shoulders and we can play with a level of freedom and give these fans what they deserve.Weve got some home matches left and, as an individual and collectively, were still determined to put performances in to honour the fans. Also See: Match Report As it happened The fall and fall of Villa Villa fixtures Zach Brown Bills Jersey . So he and his Toronto FC teammates say they will have no problem getting up for their Amway Canadian Championship final against rival Montreal Impact, even if the result doesnt count toward Major League Soccer standings. Jim Kelly Authentic Jersey . - Joao Plata scored twice in the final 24 minutes, including the winner in stoppage time, to help Real Salt Lake remain unbeaten with a 3-2 victory over the winless Chicago Fire on Saturday night. 403 Forbidden . Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Steve Mason, Philadelphia (4) - Mason was brilliant all night long with save after big save on Benoit Pouliot, Carl Hagelin and Derick Brassard.ATLANTA - B.J. Upton would like a do-over on his debut season with the Braves. The subject came up when Upton, as part of the teams winter promotional tour, made a recent visit to Redan High School in the Atlanta area. He was asked by a student if would change anything in his career. Upton didnt hesitate before answering, "Anything in baseball? Last year. The whole last season." Its an understandable wish. After signing the biggest free-agent contract in Braves history — $75.25 million for five years — Upton endured a nightmarish 2013 season. He hit only .184, struck out in more than one-third of his at-bats and was benched. The only highlights were playing beside his younger brother, Justin Upton, in the outfield and seeing the Braves advance to the playoffs. "Definitely it was tough," B.J. Upton told The Associated Press. "You know, baseball is going to throw you some curveballs, so to speak." After missing far too many curveballs — and fastballs and sliders — Upton is writing off the season as an aberration. "Maybe not to that magnitude, but at some point I think every player goes through that type of season," he said. "As long as you can learn from it so that some of the things that happened wont happen again, thats all you can ask." The new start begins with spring training. Braves pitchers and catchers report on Thursday. The full squad reports on Feb. 18, and the first full-squad workout is Feb. 19. Upton impressed his teammates and manager Fredi Gonzalez by continuing to spend extra time on his swing through his disappointing season. "Hes one of the hardest workers on the team," said third baseman Chris Johnson. "Hes always in the cage. Those two brothers are workhorses." Assistant hitting coach Scott Fletcher said Upton never changed hhis demeanour, even after losing his starting job. Bruce Smith Bills Jersey. "He didnt pout," Fletcher said. "He just kept working. He was ready for anything that Fredi needed from him. That shows a lot of his character. I look for him to come back and do well. Thats just the type of competitor he is. Hes had a lot of great years and hes going to continue to do that. I think hes going to have some great years for us." Upton hit 28 homers and had 31 stolen bases in 2012 with Tampa Bay. He hit only nine homers with 12 steals last season. The Braves need Upton, 29, to at least approach his career .248 batting average. Upton worked on his swing at his off-season home in Tampa, Fla., where he had a visit from Braves hitting coach Greg Walker. "My reports from Greg have been positive," said Braves general manager Frank Wren. "I think hes approached the off-season well. From what Greg has seen of his work, he thinks its steps in the right direction." After last season, Wren said Upton may have tried too hard to show he deserved the big contract. "Its a deep hole that gets deeper and deeper the harder you try," Wren said. "Weve seen dozens and dozens of players go through it." Upton said he didnt expect such a difficult transition to the National League. "Its just the nature of the beast," Upton said. "You come to a new organization and a new league and its just a whole bunch of variables that I dont think you really think of affecting you as a player, and they might have the slightest bit. I dont think a lot of guys see it really hitting them that hard. It was just a totally different situation. "Obviously you dont want it to go that way. I dont regret it. Maybe it was something I needed to happen. Its not something Im going to dwell on. Its a fresh start and I get to move on." Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '