Lambert assures Aston Villa faithful of Premier League survival

Paul Lambert insists Aston Villa will not be relegated this season.

The Midlands club only narrowly avoided the drop into the Championship last term, which cost Alex McLeish his job during the summer. Lambert, who led Norwich City to successive promotions and a 12^th place finish in the top-flight last season, was installed as his successor but there has hardly been an upturn in results.

Indeed, a 1-1 draw with his former club on Saturday afternoon means Lambert has presided over Villa’s worst start to a campaign in 43 years. This has led to concern amongst their fans of another battle against the drop, but their manager insists they are too good to be playing in the Championship come next season.

“They won't,” he said when asked if relegation was a possibility this term. “There is a squad of players there I think can do it. We will stick together and keep driving it on. I trust the team, I trust the players to try and get results. It always hurts when you don't win. I just have this belief everything will be fine."

Villa, whose only win this season came against Swansea City in September, travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland and former manager Martin O’Neill next weekend. They then face three of the top teams in the division as they welcome Manchester United before travelling to champions Manchester City, whilst Arsenal are in the Midlands on 24 November.