Sir Alex Ferguson defends Aston Villa's youth policy

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said that despite Aston Villa's difficult season Paul Lambert has done the right thing by giving the youth players a chance in the first team.

Ferguson's side face Villa on Monday night and Ferguson has labelled Lambert as courageous ahead of the clash for his policy.

"Young people give you a future by creating a strong blend that can last for a few years," he told the Birmingham Mail. "Young players will always remember the manager who gave them their first start.

"The team will improve because of that, I am sure of it. Paul had the courage to do it and even if they were to go down, Villa have a structure that should bring them right back up.

"On the evidence of what we've seen recently they've every chance of staying up anyway."

United are currently 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League.