Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert urges fans to ditch boycott

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has urged the supporters to ditch this weekend's planned boycott and continue backing the players.

A number of Villa fans will not fill their seats in the Holte End for the opening eight minutes of their match against Liverpool on Saturday to express their discontent at the club's recent results.

The Midlands outfit have grabbed just three points from a possible 18 in their last three Premier League fixtures and have scored just 11 goals, which is the lowest tally across all four divisions.

"I understand the fans' frustrations, but we'll have a better chance of winning a game of football if they don't do it, if they stick with the lads, no matter how hard it gets at times," Lambert told reporters.

"When the stadium is behind the players it's a great place to play football, and we've a better chance of winning if they don't do it."

The decision to avoid the first eight minutes of the game represents owner Randy Lerner's eight years in charge of the club.