Lambert laments Villa form

Paul Lambert admits Aston Villa head into today’s clash with Swansea (3pm) “a million miles” from where he wants the club to be.

The Villains are looking to halt a run of four defeats that has seen them slide to within three points of the Premier League relegation zone.

Home form has been the biggest problem, with Villa picking up only seven points and scoring just six goals, the worst record in the top four English divisions. They have found the net in only one of their last six home matches and the fans made their feelings clear as Villa slumped to a 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace on St Stephen’s Day.

Lambert conceded expectations are not making life easier, saying: “The lads are edgy on certain things but we have to work on that.

“You can’t turn round and be critical of the crowd, that’s for sure. It’s too big a club.

“It’s probably not helping in terms of us trying to play our game at times but they pay their money and they’re entitled to voice their opinion.

“Football is about giving people something to cheer. We’re doing everything we can to keep building what we want to try and do. I’m a million miles short of what I want to do with the club.

“I know what it’s like because I’ve played with big clubs as a footballer. I was never exempt from criticism.

“I remember my first few games at Celtic, I lost them. People were saying go back to Dortmund, 60,000 or whatever it was. Until I bedded myself in and got a grip of it, then it went reasonably okay.

“I know criticism. For the team, when they’re young, they need that support through thick and thin.”

Swansea sit a point above Villa and have gone five matches without a victory.

“Even if you don’t win in one, there’s pressure,” said Lambert. “Football now, you get one or two games. If you’ve not won two games, there’s a crisis, it’s getting shorter and shorter.

“Swansea are on that same kind of run, I’m pretty sure if you asked Michael Laudrup he’d say the same thing.”

Villa midfielder Ashley Westwood returns from suspension but top scorer Christian Benteke and defender Ron Vlaar still injured.

Swansea skipper Ashley Williams is hoping the Welsh club can turn the momentum in their favour before the year’s end. A 1-0 loss at Chelsea on St Stephen’s Day followed a defeat to Everton and means Swansea have one win in six Premier League matches and 10 points from the last 10 games.

“It’s going to be a massive game for both teams,” defender Williams said.

Striker Michu, midfielder Nathan Dyer (both ankle) and keeper Michel Vorm (knee) missed the loss at Chelsea, along with defender Garry Monk (knee). Leon Britton returned from a broken toe and could continue.