Villa played us off the park and looked like they wanted it more - City star Jerome admits derby shame

And the England Under-21 player admitted Alex McLeish's side are facing "three massive cup finals" in their battle to stay in the Barclays Premier League.

Blues remain in the bottom three after a 5-1 mauling at Villa Park and now face a daunting task against Champions League semi-finalists Liverpool at St Andrews on Saturday.

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They then have to travel to fellow strugglers Fulham before entertaining Blackburn on the final day of the campaign.

Jerome said: "We are very disappointed. It is embarrassing to lose like that. We know that.

"Villa played us off the park and they looked like they wanted it a bit more than us which was disappointing but you've got to hold your hands up.

"They moved the ball quickly, looked more hungry, were winning the seconds balls, dominated every position on the pitch and that's how you win a match.

"It is disappointing when someone is trying a bit harder than you. It is hard to take.

"But we've got to forget about it. Yes, it is is embarrassing for everyone at the club but we've got to try and bounce back and that starts straightaway.

"We've got three games to go and it is a mini league between four or five teams and we have got to get as many points as possible."

Jerome added: "I hope this defeat doesn't damage and scar us. We are aware we are in the bottom three and we have got to try and get over this as quick as possible.

"We have a game on Saturday and we have got to go out there and give everything. We know we are in a dogfight.

"The only good to come from game will be if we bounce back and try and get over the disappointment and the hurt of losing so badly to anyone - but especially Villa. The lads have got to pick themselves up."

McLeish is looking for a positive response but is aware of his side's defensive frailties although there had been some improvement before they were ripped apart by Ashley Young, John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

He said: "Can I take anything from the game? The bright start, the second-half performance and Olivier Kapo and Mikael Forssell coming on and looking lively so there were some good things.

"But we know where we are and I know we can lose goals. At the same time I've known the spirit of the guys in bouncing back is there as well. You have seen it yourselves.

"We have no clean sheets in 16 games but the irony is that we have still got a better goal difference than anyone else around us.

"I have been disappointed with the clean sheet situation as well, only one since I came here against Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.

"We work on things, I can't turn the defenders into world-class defenders. It is not a magic wand but I think we have improved them and in recent games we haven't been opened up like we were at Villa who are a team on fire again.

"The pace of Young, Agbonlahor and Carew was all too much for us on the day."