No panic, says Lambert as Villa plight worsens

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says he will not press the panic button – but statistics would suggest he has every right to after his side slipped into the Barclays Premier League bottom three.

Villa can rightly point to a controversial penalty — converted by Rickie Lambert — leading to their downfall in Saturday’s 1-0 home reversal against fellow strugglers Southampton.

But their malaise goes much deeper than referee Mark Halsey awarding a spot-kick against Villa defender Enda Stevens for a challenge on Jay Rodriguez when no contact was made.