Barry Bannan has insists Aston Villa have no fears of losing their Premier League status this season - despite their worst start to a league campaign for over 40 years.
Villa slipped into the bottom three for the first time this season after their 5-0 defeat by Manchester City last weekend and will face Arsenal on Saturday with manager Paul Lambert serving a one-match FA suspension.
Without Lambert in the dugout and with just nine points from their opening 12 games, Villa supporters are fearing a long battle against relegation ahead of Saturday's meeting with Arsenal.
Bannan insists no player in the Villa dressing room is ignoring the serious nature of the situation they are in, but is in no doubt Villa will haul themselves clear of trouble after a difficult run of games against City, Manchester United and Arsene Wenger's side.
"I appreciate the fans are worried about being in the bottom three, but it's not fazing us and it's certainly not fazing the gaffer," said Bannan.
"He has real belief in his players and where we're going as a team and as a club. I've never met anyone with such focus and drive. He's so single-minded.
"He has total, utter faith in us as players and that creates masses of confidence in the group. We're not stupid. We know we need results and we don't want to stay in the lower reaches for long. We know we are moving in the right direction." The Scotland midfielder describes Lambert as the most focused person he has ever met and is confident the club are in safe hands, despite their difficult start to the current campaign.
"The gaffer has been a breath of fresh air for this club. He's just been brilliant. The sessions are fantastic and the lads really enjoy coming into training each morning and striving to improve each day ahead of the weekend game.
"He's just a great boss. His man-management skills are second to none. He believes in his players, he trusts his players and that really comes across to us as a group."
