Paul Lambert says the Aston Villa fans are helping his side achieve Premier League survival as the season draws to a close.
Villa are only one place outside the relegation zone, but are level on points with both Sunderland and Stoke who lie in 15th and 16th.
The Midlands side have won three and drawn four of their last five games and Lambert believes this good form is due, in no small part, to the continued passion of the fans.
"That we have remained so vibrant and assertive into the second half of the season - and now into the latter stages - is in no small measure down to the fans," the Scot told the club's official website.
"You can always judge a game and a performance by the reactions and involvement of the crowd and the synergy between fans and the team has become a defining feature of this season.
"There's a bond there which has only grown closer and intimate over the course of a campaign in which there is still important business to do and achieve before we can look too far forward into the future.
"There is a long way to go for all of us and the focus has to remain on the next game.
"We want to keep building on the foundations we've now laid down. Everything is in our own hands and we've enhanced our position over recent weeks.
"The fans have been fantastic, right behind us the whole way."
Lambert reserved particular praise for the support in his side’s last fixture against Fulham, where the Villains earned a point with a 1-1 draw.
"The support against Fulham was extraordinary. They have been right behind us from day one. They have had some down times over the Christmas period but they kept with it, which was fantastic for us.
"We're playing well and the mindset and mood at the club is really positive. The point against Fulham keeps the momentum there. It keeps us going."
