Paul Lambert: Plenty of positives for Aston Villa despite tough start

Paul Lambert

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert believes the club can take plenty of positives from their start to the season despite losing 1-0 to Liverpool at Villa Park.

Saturday saw Villa play their third game in eight days against clubs, who could well finish within top four. Lambert’s side have now suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Chelsea and Liverpool.

They stunned Arsenal 3-1 at Emirates Stadium on the opening day and are confident they can steer clear of the relegation troubles, which haunted them in last season.

“The three games we’ve had in a week’s time have been huge. Nobody would have thought that we would have got any points, never mind anything else. We have always been in the games, which are fantastic for us, and have won one.

“It was a big ask, but I thought we were brilliant in the second half. Their goalkeeper has pulled off some brilliant saves from Chris (Benteke), one in the first half and one in the second half. Second half we were very good.

“We are a young side, but I think the improvement is there for everybody to see.

“I can’t be too critical of the lads because they have given me everything in the three games. They have got nothing to be ashamed of with the way they have performed in the three games. If we keep doing what we’re doing, we’ll have a good season.”