MATCHDAY CENTRE: Stubbs wants more belief

MILLERS boss Alan Stubbs says his players need to start believing in themselves more and not be overawed by big clubs and grounds in the Championship.

Aston Villa fielded many millions of pounds worth of talent in Saturday's Championship clash, including players with Premier League experience.

Rudy Gestede, who notched two goals in the 3-0 win, was a £6 million buy from Blackburn while strike partner Ross McCormack arrived from Fulham for double that amount only last week.

Although the class of Roberto Di Matteo's side told on the day, Stubbs believed Villa's task was made easier by defensive mistakes and a lack of self-belief.

"Villa were a Premier League club last year and in terms of resources we are not on a level playing field but that doesn't make an excuse for one or two mistakes that we made," he said. "Give the opposition respect, but when you're out there it's 11 v 11.

"Up until the first goal we were in the game but we needed to show more belief when we had the ball. It's about having an awareness around you when you are receiving the ball and having that confidence to come to big grounds, or any ground, to get on the ball and look to be positive.

"The first goal came from an unforced error when there wasn't an awful lot of pressure on us. The second one we could have done better with.

"I thought the players stuck at it and we got ourselves in some good positions but didn't deliver on that final ball."

Rotherham could announce a new signing today and have a quick turn-around before tomorrow's match at last season's play-off finalists Brighton, who have had a decent start.

"It's a long season and we're not going to get too downhearted. We have to move on very quickly to the next game," added Stubbs.