IMO we have a much better squad than our tactics seem to suggest. We have a gk and back 4 that (collectively) are top 6 quality and a midfield trio (Westwood, Delph and Cleverley) that (individually/arguably) are good enough to play for a top 6 team.
So how can it be that our default tactic is to get behind the ball, hope for a clean sheet and hope for a goal from a counter attack?
And whether we are home or away, 0-0 or 0-3 this is the tactic.
We should have greater ambition than this and Lambert should have more belief in his players than this.
I am not completely against the tactic (especially against the top teams and/or away from home) but where I think it fails is in the selection of the remaining 3 players in the team.
If we are to sit deep and look to counter then surely the 3 remaining picks should be more attack minded/creative. I.E. Grealish has got to be starting! Weimann and Richardson's work rate isn't enough when we've already got 8 players behind them doing that job. N'Zogbia should play over them. When Benteke is fit then Grealish should start with 1 of Gabby (mainly away from home) and Nzogbia (mainly at home) making up the XI.
We have a very strong spine to our team and should be capable of taking the game to teams/creating chances/scoring goals. Especially at Villa Park.