HAMMERS defender James Collins insists the team will bounce back strongly against Aston Villa on Saturday, after last week's defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Tottenham.

Collins found himself back in the side, partnering Matthew Upson at the heart of the defence, after Jonathan Spector was ruled out with concussion.

The Wales international played a key role in keeping the likes of Darren Bent and Robbie Keane quiet throughout the match, however, it was substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko that managed to wriggle free of the big defender and squeeze his shot inside the far post.

Collins admitted the result was disappointing, but he vowed that the players, nor the manager, would be dwelling on it for too long.

“Everyone is disappointed and none more so than the manager,” he told the club's official website. “Obviously he cannot be too down in the dumps because we've got lots of important games coming up and we've got to pick up points. He gets his message across and then it's on to the next game.”

Collins had endured almost two months out of the side due to injury, allowing youngster James Tomkins to step up from the bench and take his place in the back four.

'Tomka', as he is referred to by his team-mates, has performed admirably, and even kept Collins on the bench for the visit of Sunderland two weeks ago. He was pushed out to right back on Saturday, but Collins accepts that it would have been him warming the bench had Spector made a quicker recovery.

I've been here for four years and as soon as I came in, everyone was talking about Tomka, and when I've been out he's been fantastic. If Specs had been available at Spurs I'd have been on the bench as he's performed so well.

“Unfortunately for Jon, he's got injured but it's given me a chance to get back in the team. Tomka is a fantastic player and he's really got a bright future in front of him.”