Football
9y

Paul Lambert hopeful, says 'the goals will come' for Villa

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert vowed to keep fighting to end another season of struggle after his team failed to end their long scoreless streak in a 2-0 loss to Liverpool.

Saturday's defeat left Villa three points above the relegation zone, having not scored in eight hours and 42 minutes ahead of a daunting run.

They go to Arsenal and then host Chelsea -- after facing Championship leaders Bournemouth in the FA Cup -- in their next two league games.

"It's been like this for four years -- five years," Lambert said. "It's the same. You meet it head on and don't wilt under it.

"There's so many games and twists and turns in this league, you have got all that to go. Come the end of the season, you just have to make sure you're out of it.

Christian Benteke was denied by Simon Mignolet and Nathan Baker headed over in an improved performance, though, and Lambert saw hope for the future.

"I thought in the second half we were excellent, we were relentless and the goalkeeper had a great second half," the Scot said. "The goals will come. Carles Gil coming on was excellent, it was as good a debut as I have seen in a long time from a lad who probably doesn't know everyone's names yet."

A planned protest from Villa fans failed to make an impact as few were involved in boycotting the first eight minutes, to highlight their disappointment of chairman Randy Lerner's eight-year reign and Lambert's management.

Lambert added: "I never knew anything about it -- the eight minutes thing against the chairman or even myself. As I said on Thursday, I didn't think it would help the team and I thought the fans were excellent.

"OK, we lost the game and we're disappointed, but they were excellent. If it happened, it was only a handful."

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