Lambert hints at Villa signings

Paul Lambert wants to bring in "one or two players" during the transfer window - but not at the expense of Aston Villa's financial stability.

Last Updated: 11/01/13 at 13:28 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Premier League To Stay Up 12/13 To Stay Up: Aston Villa 1/100

Paul Lambert: Keen to bolster his ranks

Paul Lambert: Keen to bolster his ranks

Villa are only one point above the Premier League's bottom three ahead of Saturday's home encounter with fellow strugglers Southampton.

A lengthy injury list has deprived Lambert of several experienced players and he is aware of the need to strengthen before the end of the month.

But Lambert, who spent £23million during the summer transfer window, also knows the club club "cannot go bursting into major debt."

He said: "I understand the finances of it. The club cannot go into major debt. It's got to watch itself.

"It's something I'll meet head-on. I don't know how much, off the top of my head, the chairman (Randy Lerner) has put into the club. I'm pretty sure it's not light.

"I've spoken to him. There are one or two lads there that we will try to get. A lot is dictated by finance. We need a bit of strength in the middle of the pitch.

"Prices in January can be so inflated that you can pay through the nose for someone, and it's a guy you maybe don't want at the club.

"We have to build this club and not let it go back to what has happened before."

Lambert admits he has endured sleepless nights since Villa's shock 3-1 defeat at Bradford in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

But he thrives on the pressure of football and expects a positive response from his players against the Saints, who defeated Villa 4-1 at St Mary's earlier in the season.

He said: "You don't sleep. I think any manager will tell you that. It's not been a great two nights since Tuesday, let's put it that way.

"But I love the pressure of it and you have to meet it head-on. I'd rather have the pressure than not.

"You've got to have pressure to perform and that is the making of football and that is no different for the lads who are here.

"The fans were hurting after the other night and it was an embarrassment. I hurt like everyone else and the players are also hurt by the embarrassment of getting beat the way they did.

"They will want to put things right. The lads are down about what has happened but you have to pick yourself up and go again.

"You get on with it. You can't feel sorry for yourselves in football."

Lambert rejects the notion that Villa's current plight is down to his faith in up-and-coming talent and points to the struggles of the previous two seasons with more experienced players.

He said: "This football club has had experienced teams in the past and the position has not changed for the past three years.

"People say the current position is because the players are young. It's nothing to do with it. This club has been in the same situation for three years with really top players at this club.

"We have to build this club and get results while we are building it."

Bet with SkyBet  Premier League To Stay Up 12/13 To Stay Up: Aston Villa 1/100

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m absolutely disgusted that I've been misquoted in saying that if a chance came up to join Arsenal I would be interested. What I meant to say is if Man United or Chelsea were interested......

gulliver
Agent cools Benteke exit talk

L

FC league positions and points from last 4 seasons - 7 (61), 8 (52), 6 (58), 7 (63). Werner calls it progress, I call it mid table stability.

kolev_lfc
Reds progress delights Werner

I

s there a PR agency covering Begovich, Odemwingie, Steven Fletcher and Grant Holt or something? Why would you offer a quote like that without having been announced by either club. #headsshoulderskneesandtoesgone

Havelange
Begovic hints at Liverpool move

Footer 365

Townsend handed betting charge

Tottenham's Andros Townsend is out of England's Under-21 squad for the European Championship after being charged with betting offences.

Rafa Benitez 'agrees' two-year contract to become Napoli coach

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has claimed that Rafa Benitez has agreed a two-year deal to be the new coach.

Gill believes in Euro 2020 bid

UEFA member David Gill claims the Champions League final at Wembley will be the perfect showcase for the bid to host the Euro 2020 final.

Mail Box

Wayne Rooney Is Just An Average Athlete

That's the difference between him and someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - his body just isn't right. We have mails on him, Sparky, Brendan Rodgers and the Europa Lge...

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved