Lambert has faith in youthful Villa

28 December 2012 19:27

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says his players will not be dwelling on consecutive defeats to Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

Villa went down 8-0 at Stamford Bridge on December 23, and followed up that thrashing with a 4-0 loss to Spurs in front of their own fans on Wednesday.

They have an opportunity to bounce back with a home match against fellow strugglers Wigan on Saturday, and Lambert is confident his team's morale remains intact.

"I think I have always said that even when you win you let it go as quick as you can. You have to get it out of your system - the two defeats - as best we can," he said.

"If someone had said you'd take three points from Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham I think everyone would bite your hand off.

"But because you've been smacked twice everyone thinks 'oh, here we go' but I can't let two games distract from what we are trying to build here."

Lambert said he intends to continue with his policy of fielding the club's crop of promising youngsters despite the team's precarious position of 16th on the table.

"Experienced players won't always take you where you want to go," he said.

"I know that from my own experience, I've got a belief in the way we are doing it in the long-term this club will be great.

"There's no point me saying we're down there because of inexperience. This club was battling against relegation last season."

Wigan meanwhile could be set to welcome back defender Ivan Ramis following his month-long absence through a hamstring injury.

"Ivan is part of the squad now and is allowed to work with the group," Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said.

"He was on the bench against Everton on Boxing Day and has had an extra two training sessions since then.

"Is he able to play 90 minutes? It is too early for me to know that.

"I will find out pretty soon. He probably needs a bit more work but he will definitely be involved against Manchester United if not Aston Villa.

"That is a massive boost for us."