"I think that the 'bonding' thing gets overused," he told the Birmingham Mail. "At the end of the day the players, whether we had gone out there or not, have a responsibility here in terms of trying to win football games and in trying to improve our position in the league, simple as that. I don't think that heading away for four days changes that view but it might sharpen the focus, as it were. That's the idea." The benefits will be easier to assess when Villa begin their 11-game run-in at Fulham on Saturday, though with fitness coach Jim Hendry taking centre stage, the side may be able to avoid the late goals which have afflicted them at times this season.