STILIYAN Petrov has praised the never-say-die attitude Alex McLeish has instilled at unbeaten Aston Villa.

Petrov admits the claret and blues were sloppy in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Everton as they made it three draws and one win from four league matches.

The Villa skipper revealed that the away dressing room at Goodison Park was not a pleasant place to be during a heated half-time team talk.

But Petrov was satisfied with the point as Villa look to build on six points from four games when they host Newcastle at Villa Park on Saturday.

“He has been saying to us ‘never give up’ and told us to make sure the opposition know we will always come back fighting,” said Petrov.

“This is something the manager has really made a difference with.

“I think we showed that against Everton and I think we will get better and better.”

McLeish’s draw specialists have now shared the spoils at Fulham and Everton and at home to Wolves to supplement the three points they took from beating Blackburn.