O'Leary remains defiant

"I thought big decisions went for them which influenced the game," the Irishman said, his hands apparently firmly planted over his eyes as goals from Michael McIndoe, Paul Heffernan and Sean Thornton saw the Premiership team swept aside. "The second goal was a poor goal on our behalf and an important goal - it was important for us to get the next goal after the interval. In the second half they were better than us. We came here not with a patched-up side but to win and do well." Unfortunately, as those gathered began to point out that of the first team, only Wilfred Bouma and Martin Laursen were missing, he whizzed his hands back over his ears.

In truth, Villa's 'patched-up side' never really got into the game after conceding a harsh penalty midway through the first half when the ball struck Liam Ridgewell's hand – the third spot-kick the centre-back has conceded in four games. The visitors proved an underwhelming attacking threat, however, and it came as little surprise when Doncaster extended their lead seven minutes after the restart through Heffernan. Thornton then made it three in the closing stages with a shot that deflected off, you guess it, Ridgewell, but Tubbs was nonetheless sanguine after the game.

"Good luck to Doncaster, they're a good footballing side and try to play football. They've beaten Manchester City and ourselves. We've got to move on and start climbing the league." And how is that going to happen? Well, sadly we do not know as with that Tubbs cupped his hand over his mouth and walked out.