ALEX McLeish has urged his players to crank up the Villa Park atmosphere to end the claret and blues’ dismal run of four successive home defeats tomorrow.

McLeish acknowledges the Villa faithful can be a force to be reckoned with if the team’s attitude on the field gives them enough encouragement.

There have been consecutive home defeats to Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Swansea with five defeats, two draws and three wins at Villa Park altogether in the league this season.

But McLeish believes a bright, committed performance against Everton tomorrow afternoon could arrest the slump.

“We have to deal with that mentally,” said McLeish. “The games against the top sides could always have ended up that way but, and no disrespect to Swansea – who are a very good side – we shouldn’t be losing like that at Villa Park. I said when I came here I wanted to make Villa Park a fortress and we have got to have the mentality to make it a fortress.