Paul Lambert ready to rebuild Aston Villa as fan unrest grows Manager is safe in his job with plans to clear out his transfer failures and bring in quality signings to avoid third successive relegation battle next season
Nail biter: Paul Lambert looks on as Aston Villa slump to defeat at Crystal Palace Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By John Percy
10:30PM BST 14 Apr 2014
1 Comment
Paul Lambert is ready to drastically reshape his Aston Villa squad this summer as he battles against growing unrest from supporters.
Lambert will clear out a number of his transfer failures and introduce a new philosophy in an attempt to avoid a third successive relegation battle next season, with the backing of chairman Randy Lerner.
Aleksandar Tonev, Nicklas Helenius, Antonio Luna, Yacouba Sylla and Jordan Bowery are all likely casualties in a clear acknowledgement that Lambert’s previous policy of buying young and hungry players at cheap prices has not worked.
Christian Benteke has proven a huge success after signing for around £8 million from Genk two years ago and Lambert will hope to bring in quality signings for similar fees, focusing less on simply bulking up the squad.
The 44-year-old is facing increasing criticism from supporters after another bitterly disappointing campaign, with Villa’s chief executive Paul Faulkner issuing an unprecedented plea for unity ahead of the crucial game against Southampton on Saturday.
Lambert’s position remains secure, with negotiations over a new contract postponed until the end of the season, but patience is running out, the clearest signs yet of mutiny from a frustrated fan base emerging with Saturday’s defeat at Crystal Palace.
Lerner, the club’s American owner, has been the main focal point of anger with accusations that he has lacked ambition after significantly stripping back investment. However, Villa’s results and performances, plus Lambert’s tactics and signings, are coming under greater scrutiny this season.
Villa fans have endured 10 home defeats in the Premier League this season and a humiliating FA Cup exit to Sheffield United, while the 1-0 defeat at Selhurst Park leaves the club only four points above the relegation zone.
Villa’s move to start discussions with Lambert over a new deal, revealed by the Telegraph in February, has also been an important topic of debate. Villa remain fully behind Lambert, however, and are reluctant to avoid any further upheaval by changing managers.
Despite their lingering fears of relegation, Lambert is already planning for next season and will significantly adjust his transfer policy to recover from two years of mediocrity.
When he was appointed in June 2012 he was under instructions to lower a bloated wage bill and has spent almost £40 million in four transfer windows on 15 players.
If Villa avoid relegation, his funds this summer will be boosted by a minimum £63 million from the new television deal, while the club will look to offload their highly-paid players Darren Bent, Shay Given and Alan Hutton permanently.
Lambert is also keen to retain the core members of his squad and will offer new contracts to Fabian Delph and Ron Vlaar.
A defeat by Southampton on Saturday, however, will only add to the growing discontent in the stands.
Faulkner admitted in a statement on Monday: “We are hurting. Fans are hurting, players and the manager are hurting. The frustration is shared by everyone who loves Aston Villa.
“Now more than ever it’s time for us all to pull together – fans, players, the manager, everyone at the club. Our immediate focus and combined efforts need to be concentrated on our game against Southampton this weekend and on our remaining games this season.
“We need to channel our energies into creating a positive atmosphere and getting the result we need on Saturday at Villa Park and in the games that follow.
“We know we can handle adversity. What we need now is for everyone to stick behind the team and continue to show the great support that is a hallmark of our club.”
LAMBERT OUT
LAMBERT OUT
LAMBERT OUT
