Paul Lambert says Aston Villa face relegation fight
Last updated on .From the section Football
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has urged his side "to fight like hell" in an attempt to drag them out of the Premier League's bottom three.
Villa were beaten 2-1 by fellow strugglers Newcastle on Tuesday - a result that left them in the drop zone.
And Lambert has now admitted after that loss at Villa Park that his side are in a relegation battle.
"We are in a fight, everybody is in a fight, it's all about fighting," Lambert told BBC Radio 5 live.
His side are currently in 18th position on 20 points, below Wigan on goal difference.
And Lambert knows he is under no illusions how desperate the situation is.
"We are going to have to fight like hell to get ourselves out of it," he said,
"We are in a fight like everyone else. You have to fight for it. It's not going to get given to you."
Villa made things tough for themselves on Tuesday, conceding two first-half goals to trail 2-0 at the break. Christian Benteke's penalty gave them hope, but Lambert accepts his side cannot afford to perform like in the first half.
He said: "We paid the price for starting too slowly. We just never got going in the first half. The second half, that's the way to play football.
"But I couldn't fault them for the way they played in the second half. It is the first time I've seen a standing ovation when you've been beaten, especially at home."
The pressure continues to grow on Lambert, who earlier this week received the backing of owner Randy Lerner - who has put more than £250m into the club in just over six years.
But the grim reality is that Villa have now dropped into the bottom three for the third time this season, and have taken only two points from their last seven games.
Former Villa boss Ron Atkinson admits things to not look good for the West Midlands club.
"They are in big trouble," Atkinson told BBC Radio 5 live.
"They don't have any leaders on the field and they are too easy to play against. They need to play a more competitive way and they need to scrap."
Asked whether Villa could survive relegation, Atkinson added: "It's going to be tight, it's going to be touch and go."
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YNWAStevieG
2 Hours ago
Worst team I have ever seen in my life. Got so lucky to beat Liverpool at Anfield as we have so much more history than them. Hope they get relegated.
We've won it 5 times.
YNWA
You would be better off concentrating on your own decling and arrogant club. Personally I hope Villa stay up. Great club and fans with a lot of history and have always been welcoming to me.
Lambert signed Vlaar, El Ahmadi, Benteke, Lowton, Bennett, Westwood, Bowery.
Bowery hasn't really played and Bennett looks like a rabbit in headlights. The others have shown glimpses of what they're capable of.
And players like N'Zogbia, Ireland, Bent, Agbonlahor clearly aren't playing to their ability (haven't been for 2 seasons).
And agreed, missing Dunne has been a significant problem.
This will end in tears
YNWAStevieG
Hello Mr YWNASuarez. Back spouting your filth around again? You're a disgrace to all good Liverpool fans.
I feel sorry for you lot. It's about time fans realised that the idiots on the pitch actually 'play' the game, but take none of the respnsibility for failure. Sack the stupid doughnuts who kick the ball for a few hours a week & get paid ridiculous money for doing sweet FA.
Obviously you have a history complex probably due to the fact that Villa and Everton were around well before your lot.
Still feeling sore about the defeat aaah. Come on Arsenal.
From the outside, looks like very poor stewardship to me and fully justifies Martin O'Neil getting out when he did.
If relegated I can see them doing the slide down to the thrid tier just like many others before them.
Feel sorry for the fans.