Alex Neil insists he is not keeping a crime count when it comes to his selection calls for the Premier League run-in.

Neil batted away questions on whether the time had come for John Ruddy to return against West Ham on Saturday after Declan Rudd's error of judgement contributed to Aston Villa's second goal last weekend.

Rudd got his chance after some high-profile mistakes from Ruddy, but Neil's mantra is a simple one.

'It is a case of who we think is the best XI to win a particular game. That is the bottom line. Who gives us the best chance of beating West Ham, regardless of position or what has gone before,' said Neil. 'There is not a set quota for making errors. What do you say to them, 'make two errors and that is you out of the team,' of course not.

'John will be disappointed. I sat down and spoke with him at the time and explained why I was making the change. He is respectful of his team mates and he has got on with it and has helped Declan prepare for each game the best he can, as you would expect, but of course he is determined to get back into the side. Nothing changes from that point of view.'