Paul Lambert always aware of "tough" challenge at Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has insisted that he knew from day one that his job at the Midlands club would be "tough".

The struggling outfit, who acquired the services of Lambert last year following the dismissal of Alex McLeish, are in the bottom three of the Premier League table on goal difference.

"[Villa owner] Randy Lerner said it would be tough from day one," BBC Sport quotes Lambert as saying. "I knew the parameters but it's a brilliant challenge for me to rectify."

Villa's young team have secured just five wins from 27 games this season.