Lambert thrilled by Villa revival

Paul Lambert was thrilled by Aston Villa’s 6-1 demolition of Sunderland last night.

 Paul Lambert was thrilled by Aston Villa’s 6-1 demolition of Sunderland last night.

A hat-trick by Christian Benteke was the highlight of the night as Villa drew level with Sunderland and Newcastle on 37 points and cancelled out the goal difference factor with an 11 and 10 goal swing against both clubs over the weekend.

Villa’s survival is firmly in their own hands with Lambert seeing light at the end of a troubled and demanding season following his controversial summer switch from Norwich City.

“I am delighted to win, first and foremost,” the former Celtic skipper said. “The most important thing was to win the game.

“The way we played, I thought we were absolutely outstanding right from the off. I thought we were fantastic. It was a high pressure game. The stadium was rocking and the crowd was fantastic. The way we played was outstanding.

“The good thing about half-time was that we had the lead. That’s the big thing. Shooting into that Holte End can be a magnet at times. They draw the ball in.

If you get that on your side and you keep them pressing, the crowd can definitely help them.

“I always think you can judge by a crowd how the team is performing. I thought it rocking the stadium.

“Sunderland were bang on form, with a new manger, they had won two games. They came here with a good feeling. The important thing for us was to keep playing the way we had been.”

Earlier in the season Paolo di Canio had tipped Villa for relegation after Swindon had beaten the Premiership side in the Carling Cup.

On the back of wins over Newcastle and Everton last night’s hammering brought Sunderland right back into the relegation dogfight just five points ahead of third bottom Wigan who have a game in hand.

Di Canio was taunted throughout the match by the home fans but was more concerned about his team than the chants of the Villa supporters.

“It is not an issue for me, it’s not a problem,” he responded. “I’ve received a million bad words in my career.
“The problem is when my team perform in this way. I’m not worried, I don’t mind the atmosphere is typical Villa Park, it is amazing here. Particularly in this moment. Their fans pushed their players very hard.”

Villa’s survival is firmly in their own hands with Lambert seeing light at the end of a troubled and demanding season following his controversial summer switch from Norwich City.

“I am delighted to win, first and foremost,” the former Celtic skipper said. “The most important thing was to win the game.

“The way we played, I thought we were absolutely outstanding right from the off. I thought we were fantastic. It was a high pressure game. The stadium was rocking and the crowd was fantastic. The way we played was outstanding.

“The good thing about half-time was that we had the lead. That’s the big thing. Shooting into that Holte End can be a magnet at times. They draw the ball in.

“If you get that on your side and you keep them pressing, the crowd can definitely help them.

“I always think you can judge by a crowd how the team is performing. I thought it rocking the stadium.

“Sunderland were bang on form, with a new manger, they had won two games. They came here with a good feeling. The important thing for us was to keep playing the way we had been.”

Earlier in the season Paolo di Canio had tipped Villa for relegation after Swindon had beaten the Premiership side in the Carling Cup.

On the back of wins over Newcastle and Everton last night’s hammering brought Sunderland right back into the relegation dogfight just five points ahead of third bottom Wigan who have a game in hand.

Di Canio was taunted throughout the match by the home fans but was more concerned about his team than the chants of the Villa supporters.

“It is not an issue for me, it’s not a problem,” he responded. “I’ve received a million bad words in my career.

“The problem is when my team perform in this way. I’m not worried, I don’t mind the atmosphere is typical Villa Park, it is amazing here. Particularly in this moment. Their fans pushed their players very hard.”