Manchester City's Frank Lampard: 'Yaya Toure has answered his critics'

Manchester City's on-loan midfielder Frank Lampard believes that his teammate Yaya Toure has put doubts about his ability to bed after scoring in Saturday's win over Aston Villa.

The Premier League champions struggled to break the deadlock at Villa Park until Toure found the back of the net in the 82nd minute prior to Sergio Aguero's winner in their 2-0 victory.

Toure, who sparked controversy back in May by slamming City for failing to mark his birthday, has faced criticism of late for his performances in a City shirt.

"When you are at the top of your game, the minute you don't score so many goals, or this or that is going on, people will criticise you," Lampard told the Manchester Evening News.

"It's the modern day. There are so many words spoken about football in newspapers, on radio and TV and we are very quick to jump on our players in a negative way. Yaya has answered it, and put it to bed. Now we will see the best out of him."

City are currently five points behind leaders Chelsea in the league table.