IAIN MACINTOSH: Defining time for Lambert strategy

Waves of relief resonated around the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, but there was one corner that remained untouched by their restorative powers.

The Aston Villa fans, satisfied their team had given their all in North London, stood to applaud, but they did so with grim faces.

They knew that Wigan’s emphatic victory over Reading had once again dragged them into the relegation zone.